Scottish care operator Parklands Care Homes has launched a mental health training initiative for employees. 

Staff at Parklands, which has 12 homes in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire, are being given the opportunity to take part in a two-day Mental Health First Aid training programme. 

The company hopes equipping employees with the skills to address mental health challenges will help them to support the one in four people likely to experience a mental health challenge in any given year.

The training programme will cover topics including recognising signs of distress, offering appropriate support, learning basic suicide intervention techniques, and understanding how to protect mental wellbeing.

Parklands HR advisor Lynda Mackenzie said: “Becoming a Mental Health First Aider means being there for someone in their time of need – providing a calm presence, valuable information, and guidance towards appropriate help. By equipping our team with the tools and knowledge to support mental health, the aim is that they become an essential support for colleagues, friends and loved ones in need.”