Throughout our 9 hotels around the UK, we now have 6 qualified in-house trainers who deliver training to all team members. The training covers Mental Health First Aid Awareness, First Aid and Leadership and Supervision when being a Mental Health First Aider.
To date, Apex have 30 people trained via inhouse training, providing support to team members in need including Apostolos Fanaris, Cluster Front Office Manager in London. For Apostolos, the training has been invaluable.
“When this training became available, I had no second thoughts, I put myself forward as I thought it's a way to help others,” he said.
“As a Mental Health First Aider I can recognise early signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health illnesses, like anxiety and stress. I am not able to give professional advice of course; however, I can support my colleagues by having a conversation with them and direct them to the right people.”
Since receiving his training, Apostolos now has a different perspective on his team and can help identify any colleagues that might be facing any challenges and can offer support.
"Keeping a healthy mind is as important as keeping a healthy body,” he said. “I have been a witness of stress, anxiety and other mental health illnesses in my family, friends and colleagues, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Apex Hotels, through their training, gave me the opportunity to be a Mental Health First Aider and be able to recognise early signs and symptoms of mental health illnesses. I am here to help my colleagues by having a supportive conversation and signpost to the experts so they can seek help and advice.
I consider this being a very important part of my role as a manager and I am happy that I can help my colleagues if needed."
Apex Hotels feel that having first aiders dedicated to mental health is just as important as physical health and safety. The first aiders help to spot early warning signs of people who may be struggling and can offer support and signposting, in times of need and on a day-to-day basis. Our first aiders are mostly in management positions within the hotels and so are well equipped to fully support their team.
The team at Apex have access to an Employee Assistance Provider who can offer confidential calls with qualified counsellors, and can receive 6 counselling sessions free of charge.