Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May 2022), LSH Auto has trained 23 more colleagues as mental health first aiders.

The automotive retailer now has more than 50 accredited mental health first aiders across its Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the Northwest and the Midlands.

The one-day course covers, what is first aid for mental health, first aid for mental health in the workplace, identifying mental health conditions, providing advice, mental health conditions, drugs and alcohol and first aid for mental health action plan.

Ian Williams, head of human resources at LSH Auto, said: “Last year we launched an active programme to support the mental health and well-being of our colleagues. As a result, all managers are trained in mental health first aid and we have at least one dedicated mental health first aider in every location to support our colleagues.

“Our policy is to ensure our colleagues know that they are important and valued. In fact, our colleague commitment is ‘You Matter. Always.’ and we encourage the whole team to live and breathe our company values of trust, integrity, teamwork, relevance and social responsibility.”

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that focuses on achieving good mental health – this year’s the theme is ‘loneliness’.

The AM100 car retail group said it will be part of the movement to tackle loneliness by sharing stories and resources from The Mental Health Foundation with its colleagues and customers.

Williams added: “We're incredibly proud of our mental health first aiders and the positive impact that they are already having in supporting their friends and colleagues.

“This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to help raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing and will also be sharing some practical advice from The Mental Health Foundation on what we all can do to address it.”

In February, LSH Auto reported a doubling of van sales from its Mercedes-Benz Vans sales teams in Stockport and Birmingham and 350% aftersales growth in 2021.