We all have mental health just like we have physical health. Mental ill health can strike at any time and can affect people from all walks of life.
Although things are improving, stigma still exists around mental ill health. As a society, we don’t tend to know how to take care of our mental health like we do our physical health. This means that people may not know how to support a friend, family member or colleague experiencing a mental health issue, or where to go for support with their own mental health.
Wellbeing is good for business
Healthy people are happier, more engaged and more productive. Employers across the UK are acting now to support the wellbeing of their people and create mentally healthy businesses.
Stress, anxiety and depression are the biggest cause of sickness absence in our society. Mental health related absences cost UK employers an estimated £26 billion per year – over £1,000 per employee – on top of the productivity lost to presenteeism every day.
CHRIS LEY, DIRECTOR AT POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE HEALTH NETWORK, TALKS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
Work related stress accounted for 45% of all working days lost to ill health in 2015/16. Simple steps to improve the management of mental health in the workplace will allow employers to save 30% or more of these costs – at least £8 billion a year. This is where we can help.
Become a Mental Health First Aider
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist – but just like physical first aid, it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.
You’ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.
You’ll also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This might include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.
What’s more, you’ll gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around you.
What do we offer?
We are a part of a Community Interest Company that supports workforce development and staff wellbeing through the provision of the below Mental Health First Aid courses:
We are currently running a campaign until December 2019 offering up to 50% discount for organisations that wish to have these courses delivered in your workplaces. Click on the above for further detail.
By skilling your organisation in MHFA you can:
Give your people the tools to keep themselves and their colleagues healthy
Encourage them to access support when it’s needed, for a faster recovery
Empower people with a long term mental health issue or disability to thrive in work
Stop preventable health issues arising by building a supportive culture around mental health
Embed positive, long term cultural change across your organisation through robust policy
Why choose Mental Health First Aid?
Recommended by Business in the Community
Read their call for employers to train their line managers in MHFA
Quality assured
Every MHFA course is delivered by a qualified instructor who has completed our Instructor Training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health
Safe
Our instructors provide a safe, inclusive learning environment and are trained to support people throughout the whole course
Evidence based
Our courses are written by experts, grounded in research, and tested by people with lived experience of mental ill health. Research and evaluation shows that MHFA courses make a lasting difference in people’s knowledge and confidence around mental health
Globally recognised
Join the community of over two million people around the world who have trained in MHFA
MHFA England Resources
Take a look at the selection of free downloadable resources for workplace mental health including film clips, infographics, guidance for line managers, and more. These are all provided by Mental Health First Aid England: