JTL Marks Mental Health Awareness Week

The not-for-profit charity is this week sharing the free and easily-accessible resources and guidance that is on offer to all learners and employers who work with the organisation as well as those working in the sector. Earlier this year, JTL launched the Tune Up channel that provides a collection of videos online covering a range of topics including mental health as well as offering tools and guidance for staying healthy.

In April this year, the DfE published the results of an in-depth research study conducted with IPSOS Mori on the experience of learners during the COVID pandemic. This included 4,240 online and 5,703 telephone survey interviews with learners. The research revealed that during what was a very disruptive period, the overall satisfaction with teaching, training and support was high. However, health and wellbeing issues were reported by some of those that took part.

Diane Thompson, Diversity, Safeguarding & Inclusion Advisor at JTL commented: “The spotlight on mental health and the lack of resources dealing with it have become ever more critical therefore it’s great to have a week dedicated to raising awareness. Supporting our young apprentices and looking after their mental wellbeing throughout their time with JTL, and the companies we place them with during training, is a vital part of what we offer.

“This is one of the reasons why we partnered with the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) to offer a range of welfare support services to all our learners and employers working within the electrical sector; and the wider building services industries.”

The EIC offers a range of free and confidential support services for those who may be struggling with personal or work-related challenges, whether financial, legal, emotional or health related. Support is available in the form of telephone counselling, legal and debt advice, scholarships and financial grants.

Diane concluded: “We have an ‘open-door’ policy at JTL and we actively encourage any of our learners suffering from anxiety, stress or depression to come and talk to us.”