Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF) has added two mental health first aiders and progressive changes in its one-to-one Annual Performance Appraisals (APAs).

Kris Corns, operations director and Tara Sankar, HR manager and executive assistant have both attained a Level Two Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace.

All remaining senior management team and line managers will receive training in the coming weeks to better understand the principles and implementation of mental health in the workplace, and APAs will be changed to include a specific focus on wellbeing as well as performance.

Staff at the specialist distributor are already engaged in a programme of ongoing activities with monthly challenges, weekly Wellbeing Wednesday sessions and regular fundraising events for fundraising partner and mental health charity, Mind. CSF is looking to raise £25,000 in 2021.

The changes are part of the business’s ongoing Health & Wellbeing Campaign which is looking to help individuals in the finance sector, both internally and externally, identify and take the necessary steps to overcome isolation, stress, grief, financial worries and fears about the future.

Jason Berry (pictured), group sales and marketing director at CSF, said: “I am delighted that Kris and Tara volunteered their valuable time in order to gain these new skills which equip them to help our company better serve the needs of staff who may be struggling with their mental health.

“The plan is certainly to ensure that relevant knowledge cascades so all managers within Crystal understand how to identify and best support colleagues who may be struggling.

“Unfortunately the bigger picture still suggests that our specialist finance marketplace is continuing to underserve the mental health and wellbeing topic and I therefore hope to announce news very soon which will attempt to address this shortcoming.”