Mental health training for GFA management and staff

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Last week, eight staff and directors from the Guernsey Football Association (GFA) attended a workshop on Managing Mental Health in the Workplace.

The three hour workshop was delivered by Guernsey Mind as part of its Employee Wellbeing Service.

Jo Cottell, who manages the service, said: “I was really pleased to be approached by the GFA, who are already very supportive of our campaigns, particularly Team Talk which promotes positive mental health in sport. It is great that they now wish to take things a step further by committing their staff and managers to this training. They are a people-focussed organisation which makes it particularly important that they feel confident in dealing with any mental health issues which may arise.”

The workshop is specifically designed to build skills and confidence in dealing with mental health issues and supporting staff. It provides practical advice on how to keep people in work and how to help them back into work after a period of time off.

Gary Roberts, the GFA's Chief Executive Officer, added: “As an organisation that is committed to supporting its staff, the opportunity to have Guernsey Mind deliver the Managing Mental Health in the Workplace course, to both staff and directors, was invaluable as we work towards developing mental health first aid champions. 

"I am sure that the course will prove to be of great benefit in enhancing our understanding of common mental health issues and supporting us to identify signs of mental ill health. The knowledge, skills and confidence that we will take from the course will help to support positive wellbeing for the GFA workforce.”

Guernsey Mind has trained over 350 managers and business leaders with its bespoke training since it was launched in 2012. The workshop teaches attendees to:

Pictured top: the GFA team undertaking the training.