‘Here for C.H.R.I.S.’ – standing for a Calm, Helpful, Reassuring and Inviting Space – has been launched by Visit Guernsey in partnership with Guernsey Mind and is being fronted by former footballer and broadcaster, Chris Kamara.
The idea is to provide a discreet way for somebody to signal that they need a safe space and someone to talk to without having to immediately approach a mental health professional.
Around 40 people from approximately 30 establishments have already received mental health awareness training through Guernsey Mind, with another 50 expressing an interest and further sessions planned.
Participating locations include businesses within hospitality and tourism, as well as sports clubs and barbers.
They will display campaign material indicating that they are taking part.
VG marketing manager, Sam Claxton stressed that trained staff were not being asked – or taught – to act as therapists.
‘It’s being given the skills to do active listening,’ he said.
‘It’s offering them a space to start a conversation, and then it’s to steer them towards people who can help.
‘Giving people more opportunities to have that initial conversation, which we know is a difficult first step.’
Mr Kamara said the informal nature of the initiative was something that could have helped him.
The upbeat public personality spent a long time ‘struggling in silence’ with his own mental health, after developing apraxia of speech.
He initially sought help from a therapist, not wanting other people to know what he was experiencing.
‘He told me the day you let everybody know is the day you start healing, and it was so true,’ he said.
‘I’m in a position now to tell people what I went through and how hard it was for me, and hopefully they’ll follow my example and speak to people.’
Here for C.H.R.I.S. forms part of Visit Guernsey’s wider ‘No Man is an Island’ campaign, which aims both to promote Guernsey as a wellbeing destination and encourage conversations around men’s mental health locally.
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