Who is Mental Health First Aid For?
Mental Health First Aid for businesses
In business, strong mental health doesn’t only make sense for individuals and their well-being. There are numerous corporate benefits too.
Businesses who support the mental health and well-being of their staff find retention and recruitment far easier. Research also shows how those who work in an organisation where they feel their mental health is supported are both happier and more productive.
FACTS
Over 70% of people with diagnosable mental illness receive no treatment at all.
In 2018 there were 6154 suicides in Great Britain – 16 per day.
No magic bullets
MHFA should never be seen as a catch-all ‘magic bullet’. Instead, it has a vital role to play as part of a company’s overall HR strategy. Simply by appointing Mental Health First Aiders, a company declares a statement of intent to support it’s people. Companies should take neither a top-down or bottom-up approach. Instead, a supportive mental health policy should be embedded at every level.
Employers
The Business in the Community 2019 report into mental health at work, Time to Take Ownership, suggests that when it comes to mental health, there is a disconnect between what senior leaders believe about the support they provide and the reality of employees’ experience. Whilst 51% of CEOs and those at board level claim to support staff wellbeing, only 38% of line managers would agree.
The half-day Mental Health Awareness course is ideal for upper management who want to have a greater understanding of how to support mental health in the workplace, and what measures might be useful to implement. This course is also available online.
Employees
Anyone can train to become a:
- Mental Health First Aid Champion (via the one-day course)
- First Aid for Mental Health Supervisor
The role is best suited to those who are approachable and have a natural degree of empathy. Having people who can support others at every level of the organisation helps to encourage individuals to seek help when they are starting to struggle with their mental health.
The Mental Health First Aider course is available as an online, blended learning course.
Managers
The Business in the Community 2019 report into mental health at work, Time to Take Ownership, states that whilst 84% of line managers agree that what they do reflects the wellbeing of their team, only 13% have attended mental health training.
The half-day Mental Health Awareness course is ideal for managers who want to have a greater understanding of mental health and supporting mental health in the workplace.
A more hands-on approach can be achieved by training to become a:
- Mental Health First Aid Champion (via the one-day course)
- First Aid for Mental Health Supervisor
Individuals
Individuals are also welcome to book onto any of our courses for personal study, for professional development, or just for self-interest.
Who is Mental Health First Aid NOT for?
Our mental health courses are proactive – they’ll teach you how to:
- recognise mental illness
- support someone who is starting to struggle with their mental health
- signpost to further resources
They also remind us of the things that we can do to keep ourselves mentally well.
But – our MHFA courses are not a therapeutic space, and shouldn’t be attended by those with current or outstanding emotional or psychological issues or who are currently mentally unwell. If this is you, then check out our advice – are you currently struggling with your mental health?
Who can attend? The employer’s responsibility
English language
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure that employees attending are free from any condition which would affect their capability to undertake the course. They should have the aptitude to cope with an intensive period of study.