THE importance of mental health was under the spotlight at a business park.

Chineham Park has hosted a Mental Health First Aider course for its customers, in conjunction with Simpila Healthy Solutions.

The two-day course, be delivered by Matt Holman, a quality assured instructor accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, covered a practical skills and awareness to give attendees a deeper understanding of mental health, the skills to help spot mental health issues and the confidence to support a person in distress.

Wendy Scott, customer manager at Chineham Park said: “One of our sister parks in the Frasers Property UK portfolio, Watchmoor Park, ran this course earlier this year.

"Additionally, with mental health in the workplace receiving more attention, helped by the Duke of Cambridge launching ‘Mental Health at Work’, a new initiative from "Heads Together and Mind Charity, Chineham Park is keen to raise awareness of the issue as well as providing qualified resources to help their occupiers train their staff.

It also seemed appropriate to host the course in the same week as World Mental Health Day.”

Research has shown that investment in staff mental health can reduce staff turnover, reduce sickness absence and ensure a healthier workplace with improved staff morale.

Mr Holman, managing director of Simpila Healthy Solutions, added: “One in six people suffer from a mental health issue every week, so every business needs to be aware of the importance of mental health in the workplace.

"Physical first aid training often focuses on reacting, but mental health first aid is more about being proactive through spotting triggers and providing support.

"The training we provide teaches skills such as non-judgemental listening, how to assist with recovery by guiding to appropriate support and learning to proactively reduce the stigma of mental health issues.”