Zoe’s story: Supporting a colleague find balance after an ADHD diagnosis 

MHFAiders don’t do it for recognition, but they deserve it. On MHFAider Day, we say thank you to those who show up for others when it matters most. We also know that Confidence matters. That’s why MHFAider Day is also a reminder to refresh your skills every three years with the MHFA Refresher course. 

Ahead of MHFAider® Day, we spoke with Zoe Hughes, a member of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders who recently refreshed her skills. Zoe’s a Business Support Supervisor at Enterprise Mobility and has been a trained MHFAider for three years. We asked her about a time she used her MHFAider skills to support a colleague struggling to manage their home and work life following a diagnosis of ADHD. 

I contacted the individual to organise a time and day where they felt comfortable to speak in a safe space. I hadn’t worked with the individual previously, so I started the conversation with some casual conversation just to help them feel relaxed. Once you’ve established some rapport, it’s important to be direct in your questioning. Don’t beat around the bush, asking directly often relaxes the individual as it addresses the concern they’ve raised. 

They spoke to me about recently being diagnosed with ADHD and struggling with feelings of failure, and not being able to cope with life pressures, such as family and work. We looked together at some websites and learnt together about some of the strategies they could use to help manage their feelings.  

I could see their relief, as we went through the information, and they realised how their brain worked and that they weren’t alone. There were different options for them to try and see what could help. It was a positive conversation and interaction, very solution focused. They seemed to feel much better and understood how they could manage things differently to help manage their feelings. 

I booked another check-in with the individual later in the month to see if they needed any further support or signposting to other resources. When we met for the second time, they were finding it easier to cope with work and daily life with the new strategies they had explored using since we last met. 

As an MHFAider I find that leading with curiosity is so important. It’s important to actively listen and explore what the individual needs in that moment. Quite often, you can see in an individual if they’re glossing over something so it’s always key to ask open questions and allow them to feel more comfortable. Just being present in the moment and doing your best is enough. You don't need to solve everything but being a listening ear is crucial. 

Connected and prepared 

We have a network of 23 MHFAiders that meets monthly. We work together to support one another, share good practices and knowledge. We draw on our expertise as a collective and to get the right support for each individual.  

If we’re not in the right place to support someone ourselves, we can let the network know so that there’s always someone here to offer support. If someone’s been having multiple conversations in a week then it can be draining emotionally, so it’s important to be open and take a step back if you need it. 

The element of community is crucial; having a place for MHFAiders to discuss, make sure that we're all supported and learn from each other as well. There are people that have just completed the course and then people like me who did it a long time ago but have had a lot of experience, so getting together is important. 

Become a member of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders 

Behind every MHFAider is confidence, skill, and care. On MHFAider Day, we shine a light on the ripple effect of that care, from individual lives to communities and organisational cultures.  

This is the MHFAider effect. Mental Health First Aiders are quietly transforming how we talk about and support mental health. One conversation at a time, they’re creating safer, more supportive workplaces and communities.