One Swindon man’s chance heroic act has led him to go through mental health training.
After plucking a distressed teenager from a Swindon motorway bridge last year, Adam Jones, head of customer care at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, has used the experience as an opportunity to train as a mental health first aider.
Adam saw a 16-year-old girl walking alongside the busy A419 in a distressed state, heading towards junction 15 of the M4, after leaving the Great Western Hospital.
Motorists reported her on a bridge over the motorway and Adam, along with two other members of the public, removed her from the wrong side of the safety barrier and helped to restrain her, keeping her safe until officers arrived.
A force spokesperson said it was thanks to the bravery and quick reactions of kind and public-spirited people that the girl returned safely to hospital.
Adam received a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition at the Wiltshire Police Awards ceremony earlier this year which recognises acts of selfless duty, courage, compassion and professionalism. The experience has ignited his interest in mental health and Adam has recently qualified as a mental-health first aider at work following a two-day Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England course, funded by Barratt David Wilson Homes South West.
Mental health in the construction industry is a major concern, and it is estimated that 82 percent of builders in the UK suffer due to work-related issues.
Adam said: “The terrifying events of last year have had a profound effect on me and I wanted to use the experience in a positive way.
"It’s well known construction workers don’t feel comfortable discussing their health with others and this is why I was keen to go through training as it will enable me to have meaningful conversations and provide support to my colleagues who may have poor mental wellbeing.
"After my experience in helping the teenager last year, I recognised the importance of early intervention for mental health issues and I wanted to gain the skills that will help me help my construction colleagues.
"I plan to complete a refresher course in three years’ time and I also plan to do additional training outside of work.”
Barratt David Wilson Homes South West Managing Director Ralph Hawkins said: “We’re aware the workplace has changed for many people over the last few years - the global pandemic has taken a toll on employees and we need mental health support in the workplace now more than ever.
"As a business, the wellbeing of our teams is a top priority so when we learned Adam wanted to go through mental health training, we were right behind him. We’re fully supportive of his aspirations to progress in this field for the benefit of his friends and colleagues.”
Barratt David Wilson Homes became supporters of Mates in Mind in 2018. The charity provides a framework to raise awareness, address the stigma of poor mental health and improve positive mental wellbeing within the construction industry.
As part of this work, the housebuilder is in the process of training its line managers to deal with mental health issues within their teams and to facilitate conversations about employee mental health.
Present at the Wiltshire Police Awards ceremony when Adam received his award were the Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire Judge Simon Cooper, High Sheriff of Wiltshire Lady Lansdowne and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Russell Holland, who is also a Swindon Borough Councillor.
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