Finding the right balance with mental health support at DWP

Created by VERCIDA for Department for Work and Pensions

Richard Chilcott is able to support his clients and colleagues as a youth employment coach and mental health first-aider for the DWP.

I work in the Young Adults Employment hub in Southampton. As a youth employment coach, I typically work with people aged between 18 and 24, including people who are living with mental health struggles – and those who are just trying to figure out what they want to do and where they want to go. I’m in a privileged position where I can help people. For the past four years or so, I've been in this role and before that, I was a DWP employment coach for over-50s.

As well as managing my caseload, I am a mental health first aider. This means that I can provide a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for my colleagues to come and talk if they’re having a rough five minutes or a bad day or week or if they have bigger issues, whatever they need. Sometimes people just need someone to vent to, or they might be struggling with something else and I can point them in the right direction to get the help they need.

Being a mental health first aider has helped me in my job as an employment coach too. It has given me more perspective about what people might be going through. Some of the people I coach are struggling with their mental health. I am able to tell them that while I can’t pretend to know exactly what they’re going through – because everyone’s journey is different – there won’t be any judgement. This helps bring the barriers down.

I had the opportunity to train as a mental health first aider through my involvement with DWP’s Men’s Network, which focuses on mental health support. The training runs over four days and it’s pretty intense. We learned about different types of mental health issues and how it can affect people’s day-to-day lives, as well as how to talk to people, how to actively listen and how to engage without interrupting.

Working for DWP, I have personally found it to be an environment that supports my mental health. I’ve had extra time off when I’ve needed it, if I need to take some time out if I’m having a bad day, I can do that.

Outside of work, I am involved with Andy’s Man Club (AMC), although I did hear about it through my job. One of my colleagues and a fellow member of the Men’s Network, an absolute legend called Rob Smith, facilitates the AMC group in Doncaster. He suggested I go along to my local group and it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made. Now, I’m one of the facilitators for the Eastleigh group, along with my best mate.

The group made me realise that it’s healthy to get things off your chest. Before, I used to hold onto everything until I had a breakdown and then I’d start that vicious cycle all over again. It’s important to note that AMC meetings aren’t a cure but they do offer men a safe place to be able to talk and share. When I’m in the room with like minded chaps, even just listening to other people’s stories helps me realise that I’m not alone.

We can support each other when we know that there are other people who might also be in a bad place. For example, I was having a few problems with my four-year-old son and another bloke in the group who happens to be a dad too was able to tell me that it will get better, that kids will be kids and that he has been there, so he knows what I was going through.

I know it sounds like a cliche, but it feels magic when you’re in that room when everyone is sharing and you know that you’re being listened to – often it just comes down to being heard and in a place where nobody is going to judge you. Sometimes we catastrophise and make mountains out of molehills, or we may be going through huge, life-changing issues, but no matter what, everyone gets the same respect.

Everything ties together nicely and complements each other – I can refer people I am working with to AMC because it can be hard when you’re struggling with mental health issues while you’re job-hunting, I always keep AMC leaflets at my desk to help spread the word, and the support I receive makes me better at my job.