The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have updated their guidance. As of 2018, employers need to consider covering Mental Health First Aid training in addition to First Aid at Work training.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health first aid is spotting the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues providing non-judgemental support and reassurance guiding a person to seek professional support.

Companies should consider ensuring that their health and safety risk assessments consider not just physical health and risks, but also mental health and risks.

Your workplace may want to have qualified Mental Health First Aiders. This includes adequate mental health first aid cover for periods of absence or multiple workplace sites encourage all employees to maintain a healthy workplace through mental health awareness training or resources ensure that HR policies and practices recognise the needs of those with mental health conditions have a clear and well-communicated mental health wellbeing policy.

Research suggests 80% of employees weren’t sure if their company had a mental health wellbeing policy. A company may open itself to a claim for compensation by failing to respond appropriately to an employee with a mental health issue

Is having Mental Health First Aiders a legal requirement?

Having Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace is a recommendation, not legislation, so there is no set date when workplaces must have sufficient mental health provision. Employers need to treat mental health in a similar way to physical health.

How many Mental Health First Aiders do I need?

We recommend that employers should try to have as many first aiders for mental health as first aiders for physical health.

What are the benefits of training employees to hold a Mental Health First Aid certification?

Independent research and evaluation show that taking part in a Mental Health First Aid course:

– raises awareness of mental illnesses
– encourages early intervention to aid recovery
– increases confidence in dealing with mental illnesses
– reduces stigma around mental health issues

Please contact us for course dates.

First Aid for Mental Health Awareness – FAA Level 1 Award – 4 hours

This ½-Day course is aimed at providing learners with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health condition and the skills to start a conversation and be able to signpost the person towards professional help.

First Aid for Mental Health – FAA Level 2 Award – 1 Day

This 1-Day course covers the content of the Level 1 course (A ½-Day course aimed at providing learners with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions and the skills to start a conversation and be able to signpost the person towards professional help) but also expands on the effects of drugs and alcohol, incorporates the First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan and covers ways in which a positive mental health culture can be supported within a workplace.

Supervising First Aid for Mental Health – FAA Level 3 Award – 2 Day

This 2-Day course goes into detail on a wide range of mental health conditions and the support and help provided by healthcare professionals. It covers the content of both the Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications but is aimed at Trainer/Assessors and/or supervisor level within the workplace.

With full confidentiality call us on 01375 887270 in advance if you have any particular learning requirements.