Mental Health First Aid Training for the Workplace

What are the business benefits of incorporating Mental Health first aid in the workplace?

Did you know…

39% of employees have experienced poor mental health where work was a contributing factor in the last year?

Earlier this year one of the ‘big four’ accountancy firms, Deloitte, together with Mind, produced a comprehensive report on mental health and wellbeing in the UK labour market.

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn DBE, CBI Director-General, said: “Everyone at some point in their lives will be affected by poor mental health, perhaps through personal experience or someone they care about.

“Companies perform better when their staff are happier, healthier and more engaged. Many firms are taking practical steps to help their people thrive and support their emotional wellbeing.

“But more must be done urgently, and firms are rising to the challenge…. [It is the company] leadership that will help tackle the taboo around mental health, encourage people to feel comfortable talking about their emotions and seek practical support if and when they need it.”

At 60 pages, the report is a long read, and obviously, the relationship between mental health and the workplace is complicated.

The top line is:

Poor mental health among employees is estimated to cost UK employers £42bn – £45bn each year.

Source: Deloitte

The total £43bn includes absence costs of around £7bn, presenteeism* costs ranging from about £27bn to £29bn and turnover costs of around £9bn. 

However, the report isn’t all bad news!

It also makes a positive case for employers investing in mental health, with an average return of £5 for every £1 spent, particularly focusing on these 3 areas:

• tackling stigma,
• increasing awareness of mental health issues,
• providing adequate training for employees.

SMEs (less than 250 employees) were found to be a higher risk category where employees may benefit from greater, formalised support.

The survey found only 9% of employees had attended training that focused only on mental health.

Core Mental Health Standards

Deloitte recommends that these 6 areas form the core mental health standards for employers:

1. Produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan that promotes good mental health of all employees and outlines the support available for those who may need it.
2. Develop mental health awareness among employees by making information, tools and support accessible.
3. Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling, during the recruitment process and at regular intervals throughout employment. Offer appropriate workplace adjustments to employees who require them.
4. Provide employees with good working conditions and ensure they have a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for development.
5. Promote effective people management to ensure all employees have a regular conversation about their health and wellbeing with their line manager, supervisor or organisational leader, and train and support line managers and supervisors in effective management practices.
6. Routinely monitor employee mental health and wellbeing by understanding available data, talking to employees and understanding risk factors.

Workplace Mental Health First Aid Training

At First Response First Aid Ltd we support businesses by offering Mental Health First Aid training.

We offer a 12-hour course which can be delivered at your premises or ours. The course provides learners with the knowledge to recognise a wide range of mental health conditions and learn about the support/therapy provided by professional healthcare providers.

We teach how to start a supportive conversation and when and how to signpost a person to seek appropriate professional help. Learners will recognise and manage stress and understand the impact of substance abuse.

Course participants will learn about the first aid action plan for mental health, be able to put it in place and understand how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace.

Delegates will not diagnose or treat mental health conditions as this can only be carried out by healthcare professionals but will gain the knowledge to identify when a person may have a condition and know where they can go to get help.

All course participants will receive a First Aid for Mental Health Book, this is a 96-page manual containing comprehensive guidance on First Aid for Mental Health training and is an ideal post-course reference book.

Book a Mental Health First Aid Course

For more information on how we can work with your organisation please get in touch with us on 01543 372888. Our friendly team will be happy to assist you.

 

*Presenteeism is staff coming to work despite feeling unwell and underperforming in their job.