Training the mind

Five years ago I attended a Mental Health First Aid course through Dulux Select https://www.duluxselectdecorators.co.uk to become a Mental Health Ambassador for the scheme. Quite a timely course to take as one month later Covid hit and the world changed. The skills I learned on that were invaluable to me, when me and the kids were stuck indoors for months with no work or school. 

So last month I had the opportunity to retake this course, this time at the Dulux Academy https://academy.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk in Altrincham. A little bit closer than the main one in Slough so the travelling time was cut by half. Again it was another impressive set up there, all our needs were catered for and we wanted for nothing all day. I took the course alongside 4 other members of Select, members I've met at several other events and courses so immediately felt at ease and it made for an enjoyable and informative day. The course itself was very well run and we touched on topics that had affected us as members or people we know. It helped us see the signs when something isn't right with someone and while we are in no way qualified to diagnose anyone from simply passing the course, we can signpost them to get the right help and support. We will also just listen without any judgement or prejudice, which sometimes is all someone might need. 

The reason I'm writing this is to one, raise awareness of taking care of your own mental health and two, to extol the benefits of taking training courses when possible to further your skills. 

Mental Health in construction is a massive issue right now. https://www.onthetools.tv/home/mental-health-white-paper/ On The Tools did a report recently on Mental Health in the construction industry and the stats are staggering. In previous posts I have touched on Mental Health and the effects its had on myself so it's something I do hold dearly. Also its good that this is been highlighted by many others now, there are podcasts that I listen to (and others that I don't, as there are loads now) that are bringing this to the forefront and this is a wonderful thing. Getting people to open up when they are down or feeling low is so helpful  to them and also very helpful to others as they see it's good to talk.

Taking on further training is also very important. This doesn't always have to be in your current vocation either. It could be learning a new language, a new sport or hobby but it is so beneficial to your own well being. So often we can feel stale in what we do daily and opening ourselves up to learn something new can bring new freshness. In this trade it's always evolving and the skills you've relied on for 20/30 years whilst still very important can become dated, thus making you left behind while others progress. In the past 10 years I've seen so many advances and changes alone in the painting industry so I think it's important to be aware and to also take on opportunities to further your skills. I'm also trying to learn Spanish but that's just not sinking in yet!!