What is mental health first aid? An easy guide
As an employer or someone working in HR, you understand the importance of creating a safe and healthy work environment for your employees.
However, while physical injuries and illnesses are often easy to recognise and address, mental health issues can often go unnoticed.
It’s easily done. The very nature of the illness can mean employees are unaware that they’re ill, and colleagues may dismiss symptoms, chalking them down to someone “having a bad day”. In the last few years, we’ve seen a global pandemic, economic downturns, cost of living pressures, adaptation to hybrid working, the great resignation and recruitment crisis. It has taken a toll on employees, and now more than ever they need mental health support in the workplace.
In fact, 17 million working days were lost in 2021/22 because of stress, anxiety and depression, proving that poor mental health has a huge impact on employees’ lives and businesses all over our country.
This is where mental health first aid comes in.
What is mental health first aid training?
Mental health first aid is a training program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to recognise and respond to mental health issues in the workplace.
The course provides participants with an understanding of different types of mental ill health, such as depression and anxiety, and how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.
The trainee in effect becomes a “Mental Health First Aider” - able to spot the early signs of poor mental health and act to support the individual concerned.
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The benefits of mental health first aid training
The benefits of mental health first aid training online are numerous. By creating a culture that values mental health and well-being, employees are more likely to feel supported and safe. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and overall employee retention.
Also, by training individuals to recognise and respond to mental health issues, employees who are suffering can get help fast. This can help them recover faster and reduce the impact other employees feel from their absence.
What topics are included?
Mental health first aid courses are typically delivered in-person or online and typically cover a variety of topics, including:
- Mental health and stigma: Understanding common misconceptions around mental health and the negative impact of stigma on individuals who experience mental health issues.
- Signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions: Recognising the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
- Crisis management: Providing participants with a strategy to respond to mental health crises, such as referring employees to NHS support.
- Effective communication: Developing communication skills that allow participants to have open and honest conversations about mental health with colleagues and employees.
- Self-care: Learning about self-care strategies to maintain one's own mental health and well-being while supporting others.
What outcomes should you expect?
Overall the objective is to instil greater confidence in the workplace by making employees feel valued and looked after.
By completing a mental health first aid course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions and respond appropriately.
- Provide support and guidance to individuals experiencing poor mental health.
- Identify appropriate resources and services for individuals who require further support.
- Foster a workplace culture that values mental health and well-being.
- Develop communication skills that allow for open and honest conversations about mental health.
Mental health first aid in the workplace is a vital tool for creating a safe and healthy work environment. By providing employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to recognise and respond to mental health issues, workplace incidents can be prevented, and employees can be supported in times of need. By investing in mental health first aid training, employers can create a culture that values mental health and wellbeing, leading to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and employee retention.
