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Closed petition PE1942: Encourage peer support programmes in public sector organisations.
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to promote the use of peer support programmes such as TRIM and STRAW in public sector workplaces to promote better mental health.
Previous action taken
I have spoken to Edward Mountain MSP who is backing the petition. I have also lodged a petition with over 400 signatures.
Background information
TRIM is a trauma-focused peer support system designed to support the mental health of employees
STRAW is a Sustaining Resilience at Work peer support system which is designed to detect and prevent occupational mental health issues and boost an organisation’s psychological resilience. STRAW is based on up-to-date scientific research.
TRIM and STRAW practitioners could help create psychological safety at work by encouraging employees to complete an incident report when they experience or witness any behaviour(s) that may affect the mental health of employees. The TRIM and STRAW processes do not interfere with any formal investigations.
The Laura Hyde Foundation has reported 226 nurses across all settings had attempted suicide between 1 April 2020 and 31 April 2021. Furthermore, it was reported in the Nursing Times in June 2021 that in just 6 years between 2011 and 2017, at least 307 NHS nurses took their own lives (figures released by the ONS);
Mental health problems are a major contributor to absences from work, poorer productivity with huge financial and health consequences, both to the employee and the employer.
Early intervention could reduce suffering and costs to organisations and help create a safer more positive culture.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
16 signatures