Central England Co-operative has revealed the action it has taken in mental health training and awareness ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Over the past 12 months, more than 600 employees have attended mental health first aid training courses, dementia-friendly awareness sessions and mindfulness workshops, according to a new Central England Co-op report highlighting the progress it has made since signing the Time to Change Employer Pledge last year to break the silence around mental health.

Furthermore, the Society has created 100 mental health and wellbeing champions who offer support by signposting colleagues towards resources and help regarding mental health. It has also launched a colleague assistance programme, which is a 24-hour, seven day a week, confidential helpline.

The Society will be celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 14-18, by hosting another round of courses for colleagues such as mental health first aid training days.

Tracey Orr, support services executive, has spearheaded the Society’s efforts to tackle the issue of mental health as part of a mental-health working party.

She said: “We are proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week as the health and wellbeing of all of our colleagues is of the utmost importance to us.

“During the past 12 months we have raised awareness around the importance of mental health and wellbeing at work, championed the issue by providing the resources and tools for all colleagues and helped break the culture of silence around mental health.”