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Gildan's Australian office achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by having all employees certified in mental health first aid. The initiative, led by Sales Director David Hillen, began after his personal experience helping a colleague with mental health issues. The certification program, provided by Mental Health Foundation Australia, equipped employees with tools to identify and support individuals facing mental health challenges. The office-wide implementation has resulted in more open discussions about mental health and created a safer workplace environment. Hillen, who became a certified trainer himself, successfully gained management support and gradually implemented the program, which covers four broad mental health topics and practical intervention strategies.
L'ufficio australiano di Gildan ha raggiunto un traguardo significativo nel 2023, ottenendo la certificazione in primo soccorso per la salute mentale per tutti i dipendenti. L'iniziativa, guidata dal Direttore Vendite David Hillen, è iniziata dopo la sua esperienza personale nell'aiutare un collega con problemi di salute mentale. Il programma di certificazione, fornito dalla Mental Health Foundation Australia, ha equipaggiato i dipendenti con strumenti per identificare e supportare individui che affrontano sfide legate alla salute mentale. L'attuazione a livello di ufficio ha portato a discussioni più aperte sulla salute mentale e ha creato un ambiente di lavoro più sicuro. Hillen, che è diventato a sua volta un formatore certificato, è riuscito a ottenere il supporto della direzione e ha implementato gradualmente il programma, che copre quattro ampi argomenti legati alla salute mentale e strategie pratiche di intervento.
La oficina australiana de Gildan alcanzó un hito significativo en 2023 al certificar a todos sus empleados en primeros auxilios para la salud mental. La iniciativa, dirigida por el Director de Ventas David Hillen, comenzó después de su experiencia personal al ayudar a un colega con problemas de salud mental. El programa de certificación, proporcionado por la Mental Health Foundation Australia, dotó a los empleados de herramientas para identificar y apoyar a las personas que enfrentan desafíos de salud mental. La implementación en toda la oficina ha resultado en discusiones más abiertas sobre la salud mental y ha creado un entorno laboral más seguro. Hillen, quien se convirtió en formador certificado, logró obtener el apoyo de la gerencia e implementó el programa de manera gradual, que abarca cuatro amplios temas de salud mental y estrategias prácticas de intervención.
길단의 호주 사무소는 2023년에 모든 직원이 정신 건강 응급 처치 인증을 받는 중요한 이정표를 달성했습니다. 이 이니셔티브는 매출 이사인 데이비드 힐렌의 개인적인 경험에서 시작되었으며, 그는 정신 건강 문제로 고생하는 동료를 도왔습니다. 인증 프로그램은 호주 정신 건강 재단에서 제공되어 직원들에게 정신 건강 문제에 직면한 개인을 식별하고 지원하는 도구를 제공합니다. 사무소 전체에서의 실행은 정신 건강에 대한 열린 토론을 증가시키고 더 안전한 작업 환경을 만들었습니다. 힐렌은 인증된 교육자로서 경영진의 지원을 얻었고, 네 가지 광범위한 정신 건강 주제와 실제 개입 전략을 포함하는 프로그램을 단계적으로 구현했습니다.
Le bureau australien de Gildan a atteint un jalon significatif en 2023 en certifiant tous ses employés aux premiers secours en santé mentale. L'initiative, dirigée par le directeur des ventes David Hillen, a commencé après son expérience personnelle d'aide à un collègue ayant des problèmes de santé mentale. Le programme de certification, fourni par la Mental Health Foundation Australia, a équipé les employés d'outils pour identifier et soutenir les personnes rencontrant des défis en santé mentale. La mise en œuvre dans toute l'agence a entraîné des discussions plus ouvertes sur la santé mentale et a créé un environnement de travail plus sûr. Hillen, qui est devenu formateur certifié, a réussi à obtenir le soutien de la direction et a progressivement mis en œuvre le programme, qui aborde quatre grands thèmes de santé mentale et des stratégies d'intervention pratiques.
Das australische Büro von Gildan erreichte 2023 einen bedeutenden Meilenstein, indem alle Mitarbeitenden in mentaler Gesundheitsfirsthilfe zertifiziert wurden. Die Initiative, geleitet von Vertriebsleiter David Hillen, begann nach seiner persönlichen Erfahrung, einem Kollegen mit psychischen Gesundheitsproblemen zu helfen. Das Zertifizierungsprogramm, das von der Mental Health Foundation Australia bereitgestellt wurde, rüstete die Mitarbeitenden mit Werkzeugen aus, um Personen zu identifizieren und zu unterstützen, die mit psychischen Herausforderungen konfrontiert sind. Die büroweite Umsetzung führte zu offeneren Diskussionen über psychische Gesundheit und schuf ein sichereres Arbeitsumfeld. Hillen, der selbst ein zertifizierter Trainer wurde, erhielt erfolgreich die Unterstützung des Managements und setzte das Programm schrittweise um, welches vier umfassende Themen der psychischen Gesundheit und praktische Interventionsstrategien abdeckt.
- Company-wide mental health training implementation demonstrates strong corporate culture and employee support
- Investment in employee well-being potentially reducing workplace-related stress and turnover
- None.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2024 / In 2023, Gildan's entire Australian office became certified in mental health first aid, becoming equipped to identify and support those in need around them.
This World Mental Health Day, we sat down with the individual driving this initiative, David Hillen, Sales Director at Gildan, to learn more about the project's inception and how he rallied the senior management team and his co-workers to heighten employees' awareness around this topic.
What made you want to get mental health first aid certified?
Almost five years ago, I encountered a colleague who didn't seem to be doing very well, and after a few conversations, it came to my attention that the individual was facing mental health issues.
At the time, I did my best to help the colleague - I connected the individual with a professional and made sure to regularly check-in. Today, I'm happy to say that the colleague is doing quite well.
This experience made me realize the importance of normalizing conversations around mental health and having the right tools to help those who need support. Motivated by this, I pursued a course provided by Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA).
When you first acquired the certification, did you envision this step scaling the way it did?
Not at all! It was only after I got certified that I realized the potential of this course in benefiting my network. I especially realized how useful it might be in the context of the workplace where most people spend the majority of their time. Our teams in the Australian office work closely together, so it seemed like the natural next step to encourage my colleagues to get certified, deepen our collective understanding of mental health, and create an even more open work environment.
To facilitate this, I became a certified trainer of mental health first aid myself, making the course more accessible to my network.
How did you rally the support of your colleagues and eventually the entire office, to acquire the certification?
Once I became a certified trainer, I approached the senior management team at our office to gauge their interest in the course, and the team wholeheartedly embraced this idea. From there, it was a matter of promoting the training among employees.
We began offering it on an optional basis. Gradually, as people became certified and began noticing the positive effects of the training in both their professional and personal lives, more employees stepped forward to participate. Before we knew it, the entire office was certified!
Can you tell us more about your experience with the course?
I enjoyed the course and took away applicable concepts that have been valuable when helping those around me. The course covered four broad mental health topics, explaining theory and outlining concrete steps to be taken when responding to particular issues. More specifically, I learned how to recognize warning signs of mental health problems and how to intervene in a timely and effective way.
One of my key takeaways was learning how to speak about mental health. This has been extremely helpful in my endeavours to facilitate conversations around this topic.
What kind of changes did you notice at the office once this course had been completed by all employees?
When we initially decided to roll out the course among employees, we had two main objectives - the first was to normalize discussions of mental health in the workplace, and the second was to identify individuals around us potentially facing problems and provide timely, as well as the right kind of intervention. The training allowed us to achieve both objectives.
Now, more people at the office openly speak about mental health, fostering a safe space for everyone. I've also heard some great stories from co-workers about how the training has gone beyond the workplace to benefit people in their personal lives.
What advice do you have for anyone at Gildan and beyond looking to initiate a project or advocate for a cause that matters to them?
It only takes one person and one step to make a difference. What began as a gesture towards one of my colleagues, has now turned into an office-wide initiative. At a global organization such as Gildan, imagine the large impact the first step can have.
To anyone who is passionate about a cause, I'd encourage you to take that first step, lead by example, and spread awareness around the cause through education and conversation.
To find out more about Gildan's respect for its people, click here.
Championing Mental Health at Gildan Australia
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SOURCE: Gildan Activewear
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FAQ
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