Mental Health a year on...

On World Mental Health Day 2021, the Association launched a new initiative, reaching out to members to consider the value of having a mental health first aider in their team, and committing to support mental health in the workplace. A year on from the launch, we look back on the initiative, as the Association launches new dates for the accredited Mental Health First Aid courses for 2023.

Never more so than in recent times has support for mental health been so important. Poor mental health carries an economic and social cost - approximately £116 billion a year in Great Britain in 2021/22. Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill health*.

Mental Health First Aiders are a vital part of any organisation. In the current climate, Bianca Jones from EDP Training states they have increasing reports of anxiety around Christmas and the cost of living crisis. She feels it is a business necessity to have trained people on hand that are able to:

• Spot the signs and symptoms of poor mental health to aid early detection and early prevention

• Have an understanding of the common mental illnesses

• Know how to be supportive and listen empathetically and genuinely to somebody

• Have knowledge of resources that can be used to signpost people to professional help

• Encourage self-help strategies

Since the launch, the Association has supported its members train over 90 employees across 60 organisations in mental health first aid. This is a positive start to our commitment to supporting mental health within the industry. The Association’s Mental Health First Aid initiative has continued to go from strength to strength with many more businesses booking employees onto the available courses, taking the pledge to enable more awareness and support to those around them.

Bianca also highlights the benefits on having onsite Mental Health First Aiders include:

• A psychologically safe workforce

• Decreased absenteeism and presentism

• Longer tenure and retaining employees

• Increased wellbeing and productivity /outputs

All this not only leads to a safe and supportive work environment, but also highlights the significant business benefits as a result.

The Association, in conjunction with all those who have taken the courses in 2022, would like to thank Bianca and her team for delivering such a heavy subject with such an easygoing, warm approach and always being there to support as required.

Mental Health First Aid Training Courses 2023

I found the course very insightful and feel that I have learnt a lot and gained a lot of confidence when approaching mental health in and out of the workplace. The structure of the course was great – it was nice to have a mix of discussions, interactive sessions, breakout rooms and self learning.

We are continuing to offer the 2-day online accredited Mental Health First Aid courses to Association members at 50% discount in 2023.

The course has a new format with self-learning being removed and runs 9-5pm with regular breaks with a maximum of 16 delegates per course. The course includes a workbook, digital manual, lanyard, app access and access to the MHFA platform for webinars and useful information.

The 2023 course dates are now finalised, visit bali.org.uk/training now to secure your place.

• 30 - 31 January 2023

• 12 - 13 June 2023

• 25 - 26 September 2023

* Source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/ statistics/causdis/stress.pdf

Bianca Jones - a qualified MHFA England instructor