'Sales may be soaring, but prioritising mental health must come first'
Tom ParrySales might be soaring, but it is protecting yours and your colleagues’ mental health that matters most – and should always come first.
That was the message from TTG and Abta LifeLine’s Get Travel Talking Champions, who have urged the industry to find time to look after their wellbeing and that of those around them amid the peaks bookings boom.
Tony Mann, director of Bradford-based agency Idle Travel; Chris North, Vertical Systems managing director; and Gina McRobbie, manager of Love to Travel’s Coatbridge branch, each completed mental health first aid training last year, and are eager to put their skills to good use in 2023.
The course, which was funded by Abta LifeLine and delivered by St John Ambulance, teaches practical skills to help spot common signs of workplace mental health struggles and how to effectively guide those in need towards the right help.
The champions are happy to be contacted by anyone in the travel industry who might be seeking support or looking for a friendly person to talk to.
REFRESHING CHANGES
Mann said despite his agency enjoying its best ever start to a year, he was conscious of focusing on his team’s wellbeing and welfare. “The past few years have changed everyone and all of us in travel have been through tough times,” he said.
“We’re doing really well, but the start of the year can be a difficult time for people and the cost of living news is hard. My team and travel colleagues are like family to me and people need someone to talk to and know they’re not on their own.”
North, who has become a vocal advocate in the industry on mental health, admitted he had been struggling recently after illness and a hectic pre-Christmas work schedule.
“It’s so important to change up your routine and get out, do new things and not overload yourself,” he warned. “You can’t help others if you’re not right yourself.”
McRobbie said the mental health first aid training she had received had been “brilliant” and “opened her eyes” to the different methods for helping people.
“However busy we are in our businesses during peaks, you still need to make time to put your wellbeing first,” she said, describing how she had placed her course certificate on her desk in the agency, which had sparked conversations about the topic with customers.
After completing their training last year, North and Mann both said they had been speaking confidentially to different travel industry members at a number of conferences and events. The pair said they were heartened by the conversations they had had.
“It’s been so refreshing to see the number of men who’ve been talking,” said North. “And it goes to show how much progress is being made. It’s a perfectly normal thing and communication is absolutely key.” Mann added: “Sometimes you just need someone who isn’t close to you or a complete stranger to be able to open to – it’s about getting things off your chest.”
CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH
Abta LifeLine and TTG are currently looking for more Get Travel Talking Champions, and would invite anyone interested in taking part in the scheme to contact LifeLine director Trudie Clements via tclements@abta.co.uk and TTG deputy news editor Tom Parry via tparry@ttgmedia.com for more details.
Clements said it was “more important than ever” for travel staff to look out for one another amid the ongoing stresses caused by the cost of living crisis and an increasingly hectic work schedule, as the sector rushes to service soaring demand.
“If you or someone you know is not coping, there is help available,” said Clements. “You can speak to any one of our mental health champions or you can come directly to LifeLine for counselling support.
“And if it’s your finances that are keeping you awake at night, do get in touch. We can refer you to our partners at Citizens Advice Manchester who provide dedicated case workers to help you navigate your way through this crisis.”
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