Suzanne Mason, Health and Safety Adviser (FMD) | Physical and Mental Health First Aid Instructor | Clinical Waste Lead

13 May 2025

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve worked at Queen Mary

I am a local lass with one branch of my family tree firmly rooted in the East End for as many generations as I’ve been able to trace. I’ve worked at Queen Mary for nearly 22 years, following a career in dentistry. Initially, I joined the Occupational Health team before moving over to the Health and Safety Directorate in 2016.  

Describe your average day/week

Every day holds something different. One day might start and end with the same lab inspection (which exposes me to the wide range of research being carried out in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry [FMD], most of which is so interesting that I forget why I’m in the lab!) or delivering first aid training. While other days can be filled with a combination of incident management, report writing, meetings, risk assessment reviews and troubleshooting.  

Are there any key projects you are currently working on that you’d like to highlight?

I am currently reviewing the information of the Health and Safety Directorate (HSD) Mental Health First Aid webpage including what we expect from our Mental Health First Aiders*. I am also doing some pre-course studying for a physical first aid trainer upskilling session I am attending. The contents of the three-day First Aid at Work course is due to change in response to the introduction of Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism [Protection of Premises] Act 2025) and I need to be prepared.  

This month marks Mental Health Awareness Week, can you tell us what this month means to you?

Poor mental health is common. At any given time, one in six working-age adults have symptoms associated with poor mental health. There is also stigma and misunderstanding associated with poor mental health which creates barriers to support. New mental health research from Deloitte has revealed that the cost to employers of poor mental health is £51bn per year, presenteeism is the largest contributor, where people work in spite of illness and not perform at their full ability, which is costing employers around £24 bn annually.

Campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Week is vital in raising awareness for those who may not know what to do or where to go for help. As someone with a diagnosed mental health condition I know only too well how isolating it can be and how exhausting ‘putting on a brave face’ is.  

What do you see as your role in helping the University achieve its Strategy 2030?   

Firstly, as a health and safety professional I am part of Queen Mary’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment that, as far as is reasonably practicable, is free from risks to health. This includes (but is not limited to) arrangements to aid the wellbeing of our staff and students. I am currently looking at ways of reducing the amount of clinical waste that goes for high temperature incineration by instead using energy from a waste system that creates thermal energy [PDF] and generates steam and hot water. We are also working with our waste contractor on introducing reusable sharps bins.  

What’s your favourite place on any of our campuses?   

If the weather is good I very much like Charterhouse Square as it has great outdoor space for eating your lunch in the sun. I also like working in the Blizard Institute as staff make me feel part of their team and it gives me the opportunity to be hands on in one of the areas I support.

Do you have any hobbies, pastimes outside of work?

Yes, I love gardening, my garden is my happy place. Regardless of the weather I’m either gardening or sitting in my garden thinking about gardening. I cannot pass a garden centre without popping in to find something I didn’t know I really needed until I saw it.  

Are there any Queen Mary activities you’d recommend staff getting involved with/is there any training you have done with Queen Mary or externally that you’d recommend?

I would encourage all staff to make the most of the courses delivered by colleagues in HSD and Organisational and Professional Development (OPD). There are some really good courses available on CPD learning. Also, there are a range of networks for staff including Gender Equality, Carers and Menopause networks. The best external course I attended was delivered by Mental Health England which qualified me to be a Mental Health First Aid instructor. The skills I learnt have been a huge benefit to me, both professionally and personally. 

*Mental Health First Aider training is available to all staff, register on the CPD Training website to be notified of future dates.