Erik Priessman, QTS Training Health & Safety Training Manager, discusses breaking the stigma associated with mental health in the railway.
Despite growing awareness of mental wellbeing, traditionally male-dominated industries have been slower to address the significant impact mental health challenges have on employees. This hesitation has allowed a culture of silence to persist, preventing workers from openly discussing their struggles or seeking the help they need.
The rail industry, like other labour-intensive professions, has long been associated with a culture of toughness. The notion of ‘manning up’ is deeply ingrained, leaving little room for vulnerability. Many workers, particularly those on the front line, fear that admitting to mental health struggles could be perceived as a weakness or even a risk to their careers.
The key to addressing mental health in the rail industry lies in education. Destigmatising mental health requires a collective effort to reshape how it is understood and discussed across the workforce.
Training also helps to break down the fear and misconceptions surrounding mental health. One of the largest barriers is the fear of the unknown—many people don’t understand mental health issues and may perceive them as contagious or something that could be worsened by discussing them. Training demystifies these issues and provides workers with the tools to offer support.
In 2018, QTS recognised the growing need for mental health training and began rolling out programmes such as Mental Health First Aid. Since then, over 130 Mental Health First Aiders have been trained across the company. This training equips employees to recognise signs of stress, anxiety, and depression and encourages them to address these issues openly and without judgement.
One important aspect of destigmatising mental health is changing the language used in the workplace. Words matter, and companies should be conscious of how mental health is discussed and actively challenge poor language when it occurs.
QTS places an onus on ensuring that language is not used in a way that adds undue pressure to an employee’s workload. Phrases like ‘man up’ are discouraged, as they can have the opposite effect, potentially leading to a ‘man down’ situation where workers feel unable to express their struggles. Creating a supportive environment where language encourages openness is key to promoting mental wellbeing.
Mental health in the rail industry is not just a personal issue—it’s a matter of workforce wellbeing and safety. By investing in education, fostering a supporting environment which encourages conversations, and making mental health services readily available, the industry can evolve from outdated stereotypes and build a healthier, more resilient workforce.
To find out more about the Mental Health Training offered at QTS Training, visit: https://www.qtstrainingservices.co.uk/courses/health-safety.
