Mental Health has often been pushed aside as an issue, with very little talked about it and very little action taken to help support it, particularly in the workplace. Many employees may be suffering from mental health issues and be unaware of it, and colleagues often have very little knowledge of how to support others with mental health issues.
In the UK, over half a million workers suffer from mental-health related conditions (this equates to more than one in seven employees), and circa 12.5 million working days were lost in 2016/17 as a result.
In fact, some 12.7% of all sickness absence days can be attributed to mental health conditions. Providing better mental health support in the workplaces can save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year, as well as improving staff morale and helping to reduce the risk of tragedy (i.e. suicide).
More and more businesses are understanding the need to properly attend to the needs of its employees regarding mental health. A healthy employee in both body and mind is much more likely to perform at their optimum. Providing support for mental health issues also ensures that your workplace is looking after the wellbeing of its employees and creating a positive working environment.
Many people understand little about mental health issues, particularly if they have not suffered themselves. Safety First Group provides a ‘First Aid for Mental Health’ training course. This ensures that your employees understand the importance of assessing mental health within the workplace and have an understanding of the potential effects on those who may be suffering from mental health issues.
Mental health issues are being recognised as much as physical injuries. The right training can help employees to know what to look for and ways in which they can provide aid to those that may be suffering.
The Safety First team team provides a range of Ofqual regulated, nationally recognised ‘First Aid for Mental Health’ qualifications, which can be delivered via onsite training, as daytime, twilight, evening or weekend courses.
To learn more about Mental Health Training, please visit https://www.safetyfirstgroup.co.uk/services/mental-health-training/ . Alternatively, please call 0845 004 2133 or email enquiries@safetyfirstgroup.co.uk .
