PwC rolls out mental health help initiative

Senior staff at PwC, the accountancy giant, have launched a 'mental health advocate group' to help support those who may be struggling with their own situation or worried about colleagues or friends.

Lindsay Gardiner, Scotland regional chairman at PwC. Picture: Contributed

The initiative comes as the firm teams up with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to raise funds and awareness of mental health issues across Scotland.

Partner Philippe Guijarro said: “Over the past five years I have had first-hand experience of the effect that poor mental health can have.

“I have been lucky because I had access to support for those I care about both in PwC and outside of work. It is important to me that I help others benefit from the great support that is available.”

Lindsay Gardiner, PwC’s regional chairman for Scotland, added: “When you consider that mental health issues impact upon one-in-four people across the UK, it’s only right to be involved, not just in terms of fundraising but also raising awareness and removing any kind of stigma that still lingers around this topic.

“We should be as comfortable talking about mental illness as we are talking about someone having a cold or a broken leg. People can be affected mentally or physically by what goes on in their lives and we all need to remember that – not just to look after ourselves but also to be there for our friends, family and colleagues.”