06 Feb Successful Essex Businessman Launches Mental Health First Aid Training Courses
Mental ill health is a growing issue amongst the younger generation, affecting thousands of children and young people across Essex. Russell Stilwell, Founder and Managing Director of Basildon based RSE Group, an award winning mechanical and electrical specialist, father or two and employer of young people, is determined to change this.
From experience, Russell understands the devastating impact poor mental health can have within the younger generation and the human misery behind statistics such as:
50% of mental health issues are established by the age of 14 and 75% by age 24.
Yet only 25% of young people with a diagnosable mental health issue get access to the care and treatment they need. Ten years is the average delay between a young person first showing symptoms of ill health and getting help.
Determined to proactively instigate change, having battled ill mental health himself, Russell has recently become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor with MHFA England after undergoing six weeks of training. Russell gained an internationally recognised qualification with MHFA England, enabling him to train others who work with and support young people.
To mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2019 he is launching the first training courses in Essex for people who work with or support young people. The first courses will take place at RSE’s office in Basildon across two days on Friday 8 March and Friday 15 March, costing £300 per person.
Aimed at anyone who works with, lives with or supports young people between the ages of 8 and 18, these training courses are ideal for teachers and teaching assistants, parents, sports coaches and mentors for clubs including Brownies, Scouts and Guides. The course will be led by Russell alongside David Whiting, another qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Attendees will learn a range of skills including how to spot the first signs of a mental health issue within a young person, whilst building confidence and equipping them with the tools to help speed up a young person’s recovery and prevent a mental health issue from escalating.
The course will also provide the information and skills for attendees to look after their own mental health enabling them to set an example for young people moving forward.
By providing the tools to have conversations around mental health, Russell hopes to empower attendees to create a mentally healthy, supportive environment in their family, school, peer group or community.
Alongside Russell facing his own battles, Russell is also facing the challenge of his own young daughter being unwell. Armed with the skills that he has learnt as a Mental Health Youth Instructor, Russell has overcome recent challenges with him and his family supporting his daughter through recent illness; Russell is passionate about Children’s Mental Health Week and wants to support others to support our next generation.
