MENTAL health is on the minds of workers at a company as part of a drive to raise awareness and change attitudes.

Last year, housing association Aster Group signed the Time to Change pledge, which as an employer demonstrated a commitment to change how people think and act about mental health in the workplace and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported.

Part of that commitment has seen it nearly double its target of training 100 staff to become 'mental health first aiders'. A total of 150 employees have been trained across the business in mental health first aid to help them better support each other and their customers. Another 16 are due to be trained in the next few weeks.

Its approach to mental health and wellbeing has also seen Aster employ a full time mental health partner and encourage its employees to raise money for mental health charities, with all monies match-funded. Over the last 11 months the organisation has raised just under £2,000 for MIND by taking part in events like RED January, the Driving Challenge, and office bake sales.

Bjorn Howard, Chief Executive at Aster Group said: “Mental health remains one of the last taboos in this country – particularly in the workplace. Yet it is fundamentally important that we have systems in place and offer help to people facing mental health issues.

“We want to help break down some of the barriers and prejudices of mental health. We believe it’s very important that we talk openly and honestly about mental health related issues and that we are there for colleagues and customers.”

Aster’s commitment was recently recognised by the UK & European Employment Engagement Awards as the housing association was announced as a finalist in the Employee Wellbeing category, alongside the likes of Visa, RBS and the NHS.

Aster’s plans for the future include training even more mental health first aiders, educating and supporting menopause in the workplace, helping reduce the stigma by sharing personal stories, and continuing to offer match funding and volunteering days so its colleagues can give back to mental health charities of their choice.