Mental Health First Aid: Building Resilient Workplaces

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a proven training programme that teaches participants how to identify, understand and support individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Just as physical first aiders provide immediate assistance in health emergencies, Mental Health First Aiders respond confidently when colleagues are experiencing emotional distress.

In this article we explore:

1. Why Mental Health First Aid is Important in the Workplace
2. The Role and Responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider 
3. Mental Health First Aid Legislation 
4. Mental Health First Aider Training
5. Selecting Mental Health First Aiders 
6. Setting Your Mental Health First Aiders Up For Success
7. Raising Visibility of Your Mental Health First Aiders 
8. How to Evaluate the Success of Your MHFA Programme 
9. How to Integrate Mental Health First Aid into Your Wellbeing Strategy 

Why is Mental Health First Aid Important in the Workplace

Mental health is a fundamental aspect of overall health, yet one in four individuals experiences poor mental health at some stage. Despite increasing awareness, stigma around mental health persists, often delaying crucial support. Mental Health First Aiders bridge this gap. They facilitate early conversations, guiding colleagues towards professional help and resources.

Implementing Mental Health First Aid in the workplace:

• Creates an environment where employees feel safe discussing mental health openly.
• Reduces absenteeism by promoting early intervention.
• Encourages a supportive workplace culture that values emotional wellbeing as highly as physical safety.

What are the Role and Responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider

Mental Health First Aiders play a pivotal role in supporting workplace wellbeing. They are specially trained to:

• Spot early signs of mental distress or declining mental health.
• Initiate compassionate, supportive conversations with employees in distress.
• Listen without judgement, offering reassurance and comfort.
• Assess risks and guide colleagues to suitable professional support.
• Refer colleagues to internal resources such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) or in-house counselling services.
• Understand the boundaries of their role.

It is important to remember that Mental Health First Aiders provide initial support and guidance but do not replace professional mental health services or therapists.

What is the Mental Health First Aid Legislation

Currently, Mental Health First Aid training is strongly encouraged but not legally mandated. However, employers have a duty of care to protect their employees’ physical and psychological wellbeing. Organisations that proactively adopt MHFA training demonstrate compliance with health and safety regulations by addressing psychosocial risks. In the UK, legislative conversations continue to evolve, and forward-thinking employers increasingly regard MHFA training as essential best practice.

How to Train Your Mental Health First Aiders

Anyone with a genuine interest in mental health can become a certified Mental Health First Aider. Training typically involves a two-day course comprising interactive sessions, practical activities, and group discussions. Each course is delivered by experienced instructors accredited by MHFA England.

Participants gain:

• An in-depth understanding of mental health and common mental health conditions.
• Practical strategies for responding to a mental health crisis.
• A clear five-step action plan for providing effective mental health support.
• Official certification and practical resources for ongoing reference.

Not all mental health first aid training programmes are created equal. When selecting a course:

• Ensure the training is accredited by MHFA England.
• Consider what delivery format will best suit your team, whether that’s in person or online.
• Ensure the facilitators are fully accredited and have extensive experience delivering the programme.

How to Select the Right Mental Health First Aiders

When choosing who should become an MHFAider, consider employees who:

• Demonstrate empathy and a genuine interest in supporting others.
• Can commit adequate time for both the initial training and ongoing support.
• Hold supervisory roles and regularly interact with team members.

How to Set Your Mental Health First Aiders Up For Success

Effective support ensures that MHFAiders can perform their roles confidently and sustainably. Practical strategies include:

• Provide clear organisational policies outlining the expectations and boundaries of the MHFA role.
• Establish regular peer-support networks or forums where MHFAiders can share experiences and advice.
• Scheduling regular skills refresher sessions every two years.
• Ensuring accessible referral pathways to internal or external professional resources.
• Embedding mental health education throughout the organisation.

How to Raise Visibility of Your Mental Health First Aiders

Employees must know who their Mental Health First Aiders are and how to contact them. Organisations can promote MHFAiders by:

• Providing MHFAiders with visible lanyards or badges to clearly signal their role within the workplace.
• Displaying MHFAider information in shared areas such as break rooms, kitchens, or noticeboards.
• Creating dedicated pages on company intranets listing the names and contact details of the Mental Health First Aiders.
• Regularly communicating via newsletters, email updates, or company-wide events.

How to Evaluate the Success of Your MHFA Programme

Evaluating the effectiveness of your MHFA programme helps ensure continuous improvement and demonstrates value. Recommended measures include:

• Tracking the utilisation rates of support services like EAPs following MHFA training.
• Monitoring changes in employee absence rates and return-to-work trends.
• Conducting anonymous surveys to assess employee comfort levels in discussing mental health openly.
• Measuring how frequently MHFAiders utilise their training.

How to Integrate Mental Health First Aid into Your Wellbeing Strategy

MHFA training achieves maximum impact when integrated into a comprehensive wellbeing strategy. Successful integration includes:

• Engaging senior leadership to prioritise mental wellbeing.
• Linking mental health initiatives to key business objectives such as performance and engagement.
• Ensuring line managers are equipped to support the wellbeing and resilience of their team.

Your Next Steps Towards a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Investing in Mental Health First Aid training demonstrates a clear commitment to employee wellbeing and organisational resilience. By proactively addressing mental health, your organisation can foster a supportive culture, driving engagement, productivity, and overall success.

• Explore our Mental Health First Aider training
• Speak with our employee wellbeing experts. Contact us

Author Bio: Sandra Ordel is a Senior Business Psychologist specialising in workforce resilience and neuropsychology. She supports organisations worldwide to build resilient teams and cultures of healthy performance.