https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/uk/Documents/public-sector/deloitte-uk-mental-health-employers-monitor-deloitte-oct-2017.pdf
https://mhfaengland.org/
MENTAL HEALTH, STRESS & WELLBEING FIRST RESPONSE
Richard Holmes, Director of Wellbeing at Westfield Health, discusses how organisations can implement mental health first aid training.
As the cost of mental health related absence in the UK workplace has been put at £7.9bn, it has never been so important for organisations to invest in the mental health of employees.
Increasingly, with the NHS at breaking point and the recent announcement to save 500,000 people’s lives through its prevention plan – it is becoming more and more important for businesses to take responsibility for the mental and physical health of their staff.
Sourcing the root of the problem before the diagnosis stage is crucial in order to support prevention.
WHAT IS MHFA TRAINING? Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is the mental health equivalent of physical first aid. The training is an internationally recognised and accredited two-day course developed by Mental Health First Aid England.
It is just one of a range of initiatives businesses can implement to support mental health issues in the workplace. Similar to having a dedicated ‘first aider’ in the office who looks after the physical health of employees, the training looks to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma by having an employee who is a dedicated ‘mental health first aider’.
WHO TAKES PART? There are a number of ways in which organisations can implement MHFA training in the workplace. The recruitment of specific people is the first, and most fundamental, step in the process.
Organisations need to approach and carefully select employees who they believe have a positive reputation in the workforce and must be perceived as discreet and trustworthy. No matter what their position at work is, if they’re well-liked by colleagues it is far more likely that the training will be a success and other employees will feel able to approach them.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Once people have been selected, an accredited training programme then needs to be chosen. Delegates will learn the practical skills, increase their knowledge and build confidence to recognise the symptoms of mental health and how to effectively support anyone experiencing mental distress.
When completed, delegates will be MHFA accredited. It is then down to organisations to communicate this with employees, so they’re aware that trustworthy people are available to speak to if they’re suffering. It’s important for employees to understand that individuals who are MHFA trained are not a replacement for counsellors or a counselling service.
The vision is that eventually all organisations will employ at least a basic level of knowledge of MHFA training across the board and establish a culture that no longer stigmatises mental health in the workplace.
WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS? In the long term, your staff will feel confident in the knowledge that they can talk to one of their peers in a relaxed, yet professional environment. One of the main benefits of the MHFA training is that it removes any hierarchical stigma when it comes to talking about mental health issues, by having a qualified member of staff who is already familiar with everyone in the office.
Outside of the workplace, MHFA training draws resource away from the NHS by addressing mental health issues from the start. Whilst mental health first aiders are by no means fully-qualified professionals and able to provide diagnosis, they offer a platform for employees to talk to, which in many cases is invaluable.”
www.westfieldhealth.com
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www.tomorrowshs.com
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