Gallagher Bassett (GB) has seen a big spike in demand for its Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training, a programme designed to support businesses and their workforce to have better emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing, at both work and home.

Now readily available nationwide, the programme enables individuals to gain knowledge and understanding of the impacts mental wellness has in everyday life. Consequently, driving a change in perception through knowledge, understanding, tolerance and acceptance.

GB New Zealand Managing Director, Craig Furness said, “Unlike other programs, PFA is developed to provide practical outcomes that individuals can use in their daily lives.

The foundation course is a unique programme that was first delivered in 2017, with its benefits from the learning opportunity experienced by over 2,000 people.

“It is also increasingly clear that many New Zealanders will be challenged by factors related to COVID-19 as we gradually transition back to a new ‘normal’ way of working,” Mr Furness said.

“PFA intends to recognise these challenges and equip employers and managers with the skills, understanding and awareness necessary to respond appropriately.”

The programme has been developed over a four-year period by Graham Roper, GB’s Head of Wellness Training, along with assistance from others with the lived experience mental illness including family and whanau members with lived experiences.

“GB works with numerous New Zealand employers helping them to protect and assist their people. This programme that Graham has developed is a natural extension to the work that we already do in this sector.”

GB has a long history of understanding and promoting better workplace health and wellbeing given our origins in managing the rehabilitation of employees for over 56 years. We recognise that mental injury claims are one of the fastest growing and most expensive types of workplace injury, not just in New Zealand, but globally.

PFA is a four-hour course that provides positive outcomes for attendees within a business-friendly time frame. The training programme currently offers a basic foundation course, and an array of additional courses covering topics such as suicide prevention, bullying, depression/sadness and resilience. We are pleased to be at the forefront of providing tools and strategies for maintaining wellbeing throughout the workforce.

For more information on the strategies and tactics necessary to support and ensure the wellbeing of your employees, we invite you to contact us.