TMF Group employs 70 people at offices in The Parade. The first aiders were trained and appointed following a suggestion from employee Jo Carpenter, who joined the company a year ago and has spoken openly about her own experiences of anxiety and depression.
Ms Carpenter said: ‘When I joined TMF Jersey I didn’t hide the struggles that I’d had and the company has continued to support me. It has enabled me to maintain good mental health on the understanding that I will be listened to.
‘Everyone has bad days and knowing that there is someone who will listen has really helped.’
The mental health first aid team communicate regularly to other staff members to make sure they are aware that there is someone who can be contacted, in confidence, to talk through their concerns at any time. If more complex needs are identified, the first aider can help them to seek GP support.
TMF Jersey’s managing director, Cengiz Somay, said: ‘The business world tends to push mental health matters under the carpet, as they are perceived to show weakness, yet we are all human beings and are affected by lots of things going on in both our personal and working lives.
Mr Somay, until last year group chief executive of First Names Group, added: ‘I am passionate about leading businesses that care about their employees and invest in them and don’t just say they are people-centric with no substance.
‘Speaking up about personal mental health is a brave step to take at any point. I don’t want people to be ashamed to come forward and receive support. Training and appointing mental health first aiders was a brilliant idea from Jo and we hope that by creating an excellent support network we can do our part to de-stigmatise mental illness, especially in the business world.’
A UK government review of mental health carried out last year, Thriving at Work, estimates that 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems lose their jobs every year.
The study highlights how a lack of adequate mental health support in the workplace has a knock-on effect through increased workloads, high staff turnover rates and sick leave.
Poor mental health is estimated to cost employers in the UK professional services sector on average £1,473 to £1,998 per employee
over a year.
