EIC
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES CHARITY IS LAUNCHING A BRAND-NEW MENTAL AWARENESS COURSE THIS YEAR SPECIFICALLY FOR APPRENTICES TO LOOK AFTER THIS GENERATION AND ENSURE A FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH… EIC focusing on apprentices in 2023
W ith the help of the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) has taken on the mission of training more and more apprentices in mental health to challenge the stigma around mental illness. Last year EIC witnessed a worrying trend in young people in the organisations across the industry in the UK, sector, as the worst-affected group for suicide was the under 30s and apprentices. The Covid pandemic has triggered and worsened mental health issues. In 2022, the charity recorded 48 deaths by suicide, compared to 43 in 2021, while 321 people attempted to take their own life. Tragically, that was the cause of death of 13 apprentices during lockdown. The number one reason apprentices reached out for support from EIC in 2022 was financial difficulties and ill mental health due to financial distress. Many suffer in silence as they fear losing their apprenticeship if they speak out, as well as losing face.
Raising awareness To fight this upward trend in mental ill health among young people in the sector, EIC is launching a brand new mental health awareness course specifically for apprentices in 2023. The training will be delivered through their new Learning Management System and present real-life case studies with interactive learning that can be accessed via smartphones. By continuing to raise awareness of mental health and showing apprentices that there is support out there, the charity’s objective is to make a big change. They aim to train 35,000 apprentices per year for the next five years.
EIC offers a series of services to not only help support those in the industry with physical and financial well-being issues but also their emotional well-being. They include Apprentice bursary scheme – additional financial support for apprentices with carer responsibilities and/ or illness and disability –, general family law legal advice, therapy and mental health support, psychiatric assessments, financial assistance and grants and debt advice, among others. Professionals have access to support six days a week on a free and confidential helpline at 0800 652 1618 (UK only), open from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Support is also available via email at support@electricalcharity.org . Support six days a week
If you are looking for help, or would like to know more about fundraising, please contact, Karen McAvoy, EIC NI Chair at karen@kmpltd.co.uk
46 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
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