Tag Archive for: mental awareness

Merry Maids Leicester Branch Manager Trained in Mental Health First Aid

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Rachel Mullaney from Merry Maids Leicester has been trained in Mental Health First Aid to help look after her team of expert cleaners.

Mental Health is a hot-button topic these days.

We all have mental health. And better mental health is better for everyone.

Real service starts with real people — and looking after each other is just as important as looking after our customers.

That’s why Rachel Mullaney, Branch Manager of Merry Maids Leicester has joined ServiceMaster Ltd staff in being trained in Mental Health First Aid.

Whether it’s supporting a colleague through a tough day or recognising when someone might need a listening ear, as a Mental Health First Aider, Rachel is here to help create a more caring, understanding workplace.

What the training means

MHFA England® is a social enterprise with a vision to improve the mental health of the nation.

Their expert guidance and training give people like Rachel the skills to spot the signs of poor mental health, the confidence to start a conversation, and the knowledge to signpost to support.

As a certified Mental Health First Aider, Rachel now has the skills and knowledge to provide support to people in her teams who may be experiencing poor mental health.

How was the experience for Rachel?

Rachel says the training has been incredibly valuable for her.

“Completing the Mental Health First Aider training for me has been an invaluable experience for both my personal growth and my ability to support my team and colleagues. Mental Health is such a big part of society, and I found that the course provided a lot of insights into mental health issues which helped me understand the signs and symptoms of various conditions as well as effective strategies for providing support in and out of the workplace.”

“One of the most significant lessons was learning how to approach conversations about mental health in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. I now feel more equipped to create a safe environment for my colleagues and I feel able to encourage open discussions about mental well-being without any stigma. This training has empowered me to help identify colleagues who may be struggling and offer appropriate support, whether it’s through just simply listening, guiding them to the relevant resources or being a reliable point of contact that people can approach and confide in. I feel that it is really important to have a mentally healthy workplace as we spend more time at work than at home!”

“This course has given me skills to be able to identify and help those who may need it and I feel privileged to say that I am a Mental Health First Aider!”

Need a cleaner in Leicester?

If you’re in Leicester and the surrounding areas and would benefit from professional cleaning services from a worldwide industry leader of over 30 years, delivered by local professionals, call Rachel and her team at 0116 275 9055 or book online.

Or, nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business now to see how we can help you today.

Mental wellbeing during isolation

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With many of us perhaps feeling concerned, stressed or panicked by the current situation, we’ve put together a few ways of looking after your mental-wellbeing during these challenging times. The below is not medical advice but aimed to help a little as you face life’s current worries.  

Connect with people

If you are in self-isolation, you may start to feel just that, isolated. What better opportunity than now to re-connect with old friends, keep in touch with family and check in with your nearest and dearest. Video calls are a great way to stay connected but why not brighten someone’s day by sending them a hand-written letter? Also, a lovely thing for your children to do as part of their homeschooling.   

Help Others and Offer Support

Being there to help others can be a mood boost for both parties. Local support groups can offer suggestions as to how you can help your local community. Maybe a phone call to an elderly resident is needed or perhaps you’re able to pick up medication for someone who is self-isolating. Little actions can go a long way.  

On a larger scale, the NHS has implemented a campaign for “NHS Volunteer Responders.” This is “a new group that will carry out simple, non-medical tasks to support people in England who have been asked to shield themselves from coronavirus because of underlying health conditions. They will be used by healthcare professionals to make sure people who are highly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19) are able to stay safe and well at home.” You can see if you are eligible to help via the following website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/participation/get-involved/volunteering/nhs-volunteer-responders/ 

Relaxation techniques

Colouring In – Not just for kids! Adult colouring-in has taken off in a big way in the last few years. It’s a great way to practice Mindfulness and switch off from the world around. You can print out designs to colour in at home: https://www.justcolor.net/ or even colour in digitally on your computer or phone. https://colormandala.com/ 

Yoga / Meditation – you can join in live via various online classes or YouTube have tonnes of instructional videos for everyone, from beginner to pro. Yoga can massively help with your mental wellbeing. 

Reading – why not take a moment to switch off and escape the world around you. Reading is great for focussing the mind and also a great way to begin an effective sleep routine.  

Sleep Routine

Maintaining a good sleep routine is always important but with many now having a less structured day, perhaps it’s time to focus on this. It’s easy to fall into the trap of staying up a little later and snoozing the alarm clock a few more times when your daily routine is not so rigid.  

If you’re having trouble sleeping, the NHS website offers some top tips: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/sleep/ 

With daylight hours increased last Sunday now is the ideal opportunity to set a new sleeping pattern for the Summer months.  

Exercise

Current NHS advice permits “one form of outdoor exercise a day, for example, a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.” It is also important to remember to maintain a 2-metre distance from others when outside. So, how does exercise boost your mood? Physical activity causes the brain to release endorphins. These are chemicals which, in simple terms, cause you to feel happier and improve feelings of well-being.  

If you are unable to go out at the moment, why not participate in an online exercise class. From circuit training to ballet, there is something for everyone! 

Remember to take into account your own fitness levels and health/medical conditions before embarking on an exercise regime. 

Content is based on the Government’s health guidance and COVID-19 measures at the time of writing. Please refer to the government website to ensure that this information is current.  

If you have concerns regarding your mental health and wellbeing, further information, help and support can be found by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/.