ICON Communication Centres s.r.o (ICON), an award-winning provider of multilingual contact centre solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program with colleagues trained by MHFA England. The MHFA program places a focus on the importance of early intervention into resolving situations arising from mental health issues in the workplace. ICON colleagues are deploying their skills from the UK to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their colleagues in the Czech Republic.
The MHFA England program is designed as a tool to start a conversation with those colleagues who may be suffering from mental illness. According to MHFA England, early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions can significantly improve recovery rates. Using the experience from MHFA England, ICON’s solution seeks to minimise the distress a colleague may suffer at a time of anguish.
“ICON is proactively equipping colleagues with the tools to identify, understand, and cope with mental health issues. We are creating a safe workplace where both the mental health and physical health of our colleagues are valued equally.”
Helen Hickin–CEO-ICON
ICON’s dedicated MHFA colleagues are trained to recognise the indicators that someone is developing problems or experiencing a mental health crisis. They have the necessary skills to discuss changes in emotions, thinking, and behaviour, and are in a position to encourage colleagues to seek appropriate professional help early on before a person’s condition deteriorates.
ICON’s solutions team developed an online Mental Health First Aid portal to anonymously and confidentially connect those colleagues who may need early intervention. Initial assistance is provided using the ‘Support and Talk’ methodology, which is a sign-posting and listening service, before directing people to further help if required.
A delay in seeking help for mental health problems can increase the risk of a prolonged absence from work. The longer a person is away from work, the less likely they are to return. ICON is committed to proactively avoiding such scenarios and the associated cost from both a personal and business perspective.”
Mark Matthews–COO-ICON
The MHFA course was developed in 2000 by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm with the aim of improving the mental health literacy of Australians; it is now auspiced by the University of Melbourne’s Department of Psychiatry. The training program has since been replicated in six countries, including Scotland, Great Britain, and Canada.
ICON is proud to be complementing the work of the MHFA program around the world.
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