A Council employee is now training colleagues in mental health first aid after becoming a trained mental health first aid instructor.

Helen Walker works as a call handler in the Contact Centre by day, and recently completed instructor training which now allows her to train others in mental health first aid.

Helen was given special leave by her manager to complete the training course, based on the benefits her training would bring to the organisation.

Speaking after delivering her first training course on 28 March 2019, Helen said:

“It’s been a great opportunity for me to develop myself, and to help others develop.

“Mental health is a topical issue, and it’s one we should all care about. So I’m glad we’re raising awareness and tackling stigma across the Council.

“I’d like to thank my manager, Ian Whitelaw, and the organisation for supporting me through my instructor training. It means a lot and I’m sure we’ll see the benefits.”

More mental health first aid training sessions will be arranged in the near future. Contact wellbeing@falkirk.gov.uk for more info.