Since launching the Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Heath Awareness qualification 12 months ago, I have been continually amazed by the creative ways the employees we have trained have developed their learning from the course to improve their own organisation’s mental wellbeing.
The great thing about this qualification is that it is relevant both within and beyond the health and fitness sector. We have been delighted to train employees from a variety of settings from primary schools to business and marketing. It has also been fascinating to deliver this training to our sector leaders, including Active IQ and CIMSPA, who have sent colleagues from all levels and areas of the business to learn how to be mental health ambassadors.
One of our most inspirational learners in this area is Samantha, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator at a South-East London Primary School, who has used the training from the Mental Health Awareness course to look at ways it can be used in a Primary School setting. Whilst she found the information on the course was largely aimed at supporting adults in the workplace, it has prompted her to support the children in her school so that they, in turn, have a better understanding of their mental health continuum and are better equipped in their teen and adult lives.
Samantha has used the course as a kick starter to create several new initiatives within her school, including a ‘People Paramedics’ group, where volunteers from each class can work with her to learn about mental health, how to look after themselves and others, and complete projects including an emotions register for each classroom where children can let their teacher know how they feel and if they need to talk. Samantha will also be launching an online space where children can access tools and videos to support their mental health.
An example of the huge impact this training has had this year comes from another of our students, Clare, who is British Rowing’s Indoor Business Development Executive. Clare has used her learning from the Mental Health Awareness course in her work as Lead Coach for Indoor Rowing with the Invictus Games team. Currently training 36 rowers with a wide range of both physical and mental health issues, including PTSD, in preparation for the May 2020 games in The Hague, Clare has found the training to be very useful in helping her to work with and develop her team.
“Sport has a massive positive impact on recovery for these individuals and it’s my job to encourage them on that journey, be it introducing them to indoor rowing as a new sport for them or coaching them to achieve PBs (and medals) in the Games.”
For more information on how your organisation can get involved in this area please click here
