{"id":37359,"date":"2026-08-06T12:02:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/mental-health-wellbeing\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T12:10:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:10:12","slug":"mental-health-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/mental-health-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health & Wellbeing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Mental health concerns us all<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

At vgbe, we aim to foster a working culture in which mental health can be discussed openly and respectfully. Our aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues, break down prejudices and ensure support is available at an early stage. <\/p>

Everyone may face challenges or stress at some point in their lives. That is why we want to help ensure that seeking help is seen as a natural step to take. After all, mental health is a vital part of health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Mental health at vgbe energy <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mental health is an essential part of our wellbeing, our ability to perform and our quality of life. It influences how we think, feel and act, how we cope with challenges and how we work with others. <\/p>

Stress is an inevitable part of both our professional and private lives. Changes, high demands at work, personal crises or health challenges can mean that people need support from time to time. <\/p>

At vgbe energy, we want to help raise awareness of mental health, break down prejudices and offer support at an early stage. Our aim is to create a working culture in which mental health issues can be discussed openly and support services are easily accessible. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Why mental health is important <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mental health issues are among the most common causes of long-term absence from work. At the same time, many people find it difficult to talk about their mental health concerns or to seek support at an early stage. <\/p>

The following principle applies:<\/p>

The earlier mental health issues are recognised and addressed, the more effective appropriate support measures can be.<\/p>

Mental health affects us all \u2013 regardless of role, position or personal circumstances. It is therefore an important part of a holistic approach to health and safety. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) - What is Mental Health First Aid? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mental Health First Aid<\/a> (MHFA) describes an internationally recognised approach to promoting mental health and providing early support to people experiencing mental distress or in mental health crises.<\/p>

The concept was developed in Australia in the early 2000s and has since become established in numerous countries worldwide. The programme is based on the recognition that mental health conditions and distress are widespread, yet early signs are often not recognised or addressed. At the same time, many affected individuals are unsure about suitable support services or who to turn to for help. <\/p>

The aim of Mental Health First Aid<\/a> is to empower people to recognise the signs of mental health distress at an early stage, to have a supportive conversation and, where necessary, to refer those affected to appropriate professional support services. In doing so, MHFA draws on the tried-and-tested principle of first aid for physical illnesses or accidents: by acting early, stress can be better understood, barriers can be broken down, and those affected can be supported on their journey towards further help. <\/p>

Numerous international studies show that Mental Health First Aid<\/a> can help to improve knowledge of mental health, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and increase people\u2019s willingness to seek help at an early stage or to offer support. In this way, MHFA makes an important contribution to fostering an open, supportive and health-promoting corporate culture. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMHFA Website<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
The duties and role of a Mental Health First Aider <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mental Health First Aiders are specially trained support contacts who can assist colleagues experiencing mental health difficulties or going through difficult life situations. Their role is to recognise the early signs of mental health issues, approach those affected with openness and respect, and offer guidance through a confidential conversation. In doing so, they listen attentively, help people to make sense of their difficulties, provide information about internal and external support services, and, if requested, assist in finding suitable professional help. <\/p>

Mental Health First Aiders provide initial support on an equal footing and help to break down barriers and make it easier to talk about mental health. They can encourage those affected to seek support at an early stage and act as a bridge between the first signs of distress and professional support services. <\/p>

Mental Health First Aiders do not perform any therapeutic or medical functions. They are not a substitute for psychotherapists, doctors, social counselling services or other healthcare professionals. They do not make diagnoses or carry out therapeutic interventions. Rather, their role is to listen, provide guidance and facilitate access to appropriate support services. <\/strong><\/p>

A conversation with a Mental Health First Aider can be helpful in many situations \u2013 for example, in cases of persistent stress, feeling overwhelmed, sleep problems, personal or work-related pressures, mood swings, or even if you are worried about a colleague. There does not need to be an acute crisis. Often, an early conversation can help you make sense of your own situation, gain new perspectives and find out about suitable support services. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Our Mental Health First Aiders <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Mental health issues can affect any one of us \u2013 whether due to challenges at work, changes in our personal lives or stressful life circumstances. It is not always easy to talk about these issues or to take that first step. <\/p>

The following colleagues have successfully completed their training as Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)<\/strong> and are available as confidential points of contact. They are there to listen, help you make sense of stressful situations and provide information on suitable internal and external support services. <\/p>

Naturally, all discussions are confidential and take place on a voluntary basis. The Mental Health First Aiders see themselves as a first point of contact and a source of guidance, but they are not a substitute for professional medical or psychotherapeutic advice. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Dr. Lukas Biesen<\/strong>
Health & Safety
<\/strong>vgbe energy e.V.<\/p>

\u260f <\/strong>+49 201 81 28 253
\u2706 <\/strong>+49 151 18248006
\u2709 <\/strong>lukas.biesen@vgbe.energy<\/p>

Deilbachtal 173, 45257 Essen, Germany<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Dr. Gregor Lipinski<\/strong>
Health & Safety
<\/strong>vgbe energy e.V.<\/p>

\u260f <\/strong>+49 201 81 28 272
\u2706 <\/strong>+49 152 03867528
\u2709 <\/strong>gregor.lipinski@vgbe.energy<\/p>

Deilbachtal 173, 45257 Essen, Germany<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Please note:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>

If you are unsure whether a conversation with a Mental Health First Aider is right for you, you can contact us at any time, with no obligation. Together, we can discuss what support options might be helpful in your situation. This may also include referring you to the RWE Social Counselling Service or other professional support services. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
Professional support from RWE\u2019s social advisory service <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to the Mental Health First Aid programme, vgbe works in partnership with RWE Social Counselling, thereby offering its employees access to professional and well-established counselling services.<\/p>

RWE Social Counselling supports employees with professional, personal and family issues and offers expert advice in difficult life situations. The aim is to provide support to those affected at an early stage, offer guidance and, where necessary, identify suitable support services. <\/p>

The range of counselling services includes, amongst other things:<\/p>