3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:08 pm on 4 December 2018.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 5:08, 4 December 2018

I'd like to pick up on the issue of mental health, which is something that the leader of the house will rightly know that I've raised on many occasions since being elected earlier this year. Last month, business leaders across the UK urged the UK Government to make provision for mental health first aiders mandatory in the workplace. I completely agree with campaigner Natasha Devon, behind the letter to the UK Government when she says employers have a duty of care to staff. She quite rightly highlights that success will also ensure that all employees everywhere can access a trained member of staff to receive initial support and guidance if they are dealing with mental health issues at work.

So, firstly, is this something the Welsh Government would consider for workplaces in Wales? And secondly, there has also been a lot of attention recently in the media on the role of the wider community in tackling the epidemic of mental ill health and the prevention of suicide. An example of this is the Cornwall-based Wave Project charity, and they provide surf therapy to young people suffering with mental health illness. A little closer to home, I recently was able to experience and visit Hounds the Barbershop with my colleague Jayne Bryant in Newport, and, just like that shop, my own barber Sam—from Sam's barbershop in Flintshire—is a brilliant example of a barber who helps those suffering with mental ill health, like myself. So, I praise people like Sam in Flintshire and Paul in Newport, those people have taken it upon themselves to provide pastoral care to those in need or simply those who are feeling blue, and, again, for reinforcing that message that it is okay not to be okay.

Finally, the second statement that I would like to know, is: would the leader of the house join me in paying tribute to those people and every single person out there who aren't counsellors, but believe that they are in a fantastic position of trust to look after others and one another throughout their difficulties in their daily lives?