We have all come across a first aider at work at some point in our working lives.
Most offices have a number of trained people who can provide help for physical first aid, this usually involves offering assistance to help preserve life, prevent further harm, provide comfort and promote recovery. It’s a given in any modern workplace environment.
But what about when it comes to the mental health of the employees on site? Who do they turn to in a crisis or simply for support?
Nowadays, more and more workplaces are becoming aware of the implications of poor mental health among employees, and it is heartening to see so many wanting to take steps to offer support.
Many workplaces now have trained Mental Health First Aiders in place – and it is just as vital a role as the Physical First Aider we can sometimes take for granted.
Mental Health First Aiders are employees who are trained to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and to provide support to anyone who might be experiencing emotional distress.
At its most basic level, the role is a first point of contact for an employee who may be struggling in some way.
Mental Health First Aiders will have the practical and emotional skills needed to offer the right level of support and to know when they need to point them in the direction of external assistance. It might start and end as a simple conversation, or it might extend to helping the employee access third party expert help.
But the role is much more than having a conversation and helping someone in crisis; it is also about influencing change in the workplace to better support the whole organisation.
Having mental health first aid training as an option helps people within the organisation feel able to talk more openly about mental health and goes a long way to removing any stigma.
As well as being that first point of contact, the Mental Health First Aider would be able to offer insights, raise awareness on the topic of mental health and share coping strategies such as Action for Happiness’s 10 keys to happier living.
Having an active and enthusiastic team of Mental Health First Aider’s will help promote a culture of wellbeing and positivity that is vital for any workplace to remain productive, efficient, and happy.
Being compassionate and a good listener is a good start, but anyone in an organisation can explore becoming a Mental Health First Aider, with the right training.
At The Mental Health People, we offer a range of courses to help you understand more about the role of a Mental Health First Aider and to train to become one.
Our Mental Health First Aid (Adult) course is certified by Mental Health First Aid England and teaches participants how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
We also have a refresher course to keep your skills up to date and another to help people understand the role of a Mental Health First Aider.
Here’s what Laura Webb, Operations Support Director at Bond Williams has to say about becoming a Mental Health First Aider:
“Participating in this course was eye-opening. Not only did it provide practical strategies for addressing mental health concerns in the workplace, but it also fostered open conversations about a topic that is often stigmatised. I learned how to create a supportive environment for our team, and the insights gained will positively impact our work culture.”
We congratulate any employer that is looking to set up a mental health first aid network within an organisation and we would offer these five tips for success:
- Break down any stigma by having a senior leader champion your mental health initiative and actively engage with this at every stage
- Evaluate and assess the current support the organisation has in place for mental health issues and any referral mechanisms in place (e.g., an EAP – employee assistance programme).
- Have a clear job specification and guidance for the role of Mental Health First Aider that is shared ahead of anyone volunteering for the role. Ensure that managers understand the role and the time it may take for any of their team members who get trained up.
- Appoint someone who will support the first aiders – like the ‘supervision coach’ that all professional coaches must regularly check in with.
- Be crystal clear about when you, the organisation, will intervene and ask a Mental Health First Aider to take a break or step out of a situation.
We can help you with all of these, for more information about how we can help you and your organisation, get in touch with us.
Author: Emma Tomes, Founder, The Mental Health People Ltd
www.mentalhealthpeople.com | hello@mentalhealthpeople.com
If you’re interested in learning more about mental health and suicide in the workplace, consider joining Bond Williams “Unlocking the Myths: Mental Health and Suicide in the Workplace” webinar on September 17th, in conjunction with Emma Tomes, the Founder of The Mental Health People Ltd. With expertise in mental health first aid training, Emma specialises in empowering teams and leaders to enhance self-awareness and embrace new perspectives around mental health. This webinar acts as an introduction to the full course aiming to equip businesses with the tools to address mental health concerns while fostering critical dialogue about workplace challenges. You’ll gain valuable insights and practical strategies to create a supportive environment for employees. Book your place here.
