Alliance Healthcare has trained up some of its staff to provide employees with mental health support.

Twenty-four members of staff, described by Alliance as “employee mental health first aiders,” completed a series of virtual training programmes and were taught skills such as active listening, how to begin a chat with someone about poor mental health, providing reassurance and appropriate signposting.

Alliance said it hoped all employees will have access to a trained mental health first aider by the end of the year.

“We have a duty of care to support our workforce and we are committed to providing appropriate help for poor mental health, it’s equally as important as physical health,” said Vicki Wilder, senior HR business partner at Alliance Healthcare who is leading the training.

“We also recognise that the pandemic has taken its toll on people, but with the introduction of mental health first aiders colleagues will have an additional avenue to be able to reach out for support.”

The training was accredited by Mental Health First Aid England.