One in four adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any given year. We can all be affected at any given point in our lives, so it’s understandable the NHS is placing more national focus on mental health than ever before.
Understanding the difficulties of dealing with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression and burnout, which are all more common than many people realise, all starts by recognising what good mental health looks like. According to Mind, one of the UK’s leading charities in this area, it’s “thinking, feeling and reacting in the ways that you need and want to live your life”. Therefore, if you experience a period of poor mental health, you may find it difficult to cope, perhaps feeling just as bad as you would if you had a physical illness, or all too often, worse.
What Steps Can You Take to Shape a Supportive, Mentally Healthy and Positive Workplace?
In the workplace, there are many factors that can negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of employees, such as a demanding workload, poor work-life balance, lack of job security, little to no support, micromanagement, conflicts with coworkers and a lack of job satisfaction. Mental Health UK’s chief executive, Brian Dow, says the UK is “rapidly becoming a burnt-out nation” with a “worrying number of people” taking days off due to poor mental health caused by stress. While there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution to addressing these issues, there are positive steps employers can take to better understand what mental health is and support team members who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
We know that positively managing mental health can underpin good employee engagement and benefit everyone – employees, employers and the bottom line. Organisations of all sizes are increasingly recognising the importance of Mental Health First Aid Training, not just as a means to support employee health, but as a vital component of nurturing a happy, healthy and productive work environment that’s geared for success.
What to Expect from Mental Health First Aid Training
By training your leaders, managers and employees in Mental Health First Aid, you not only equip them with the skills they need to support their peers, but you increase the likelihood of a team member recognising early signs of distress, meaning as an organisation, you have the ability to take appropriate actions in good time, without stigma. For example, at GBS Corporate Training, whether you take our Mental Health First Aid Introduction, One Day or Two Day course, you will learn how to have supportive conversations and be able to provide that initial assistance to a colleague. By engaging in Mental Health First Aid, you can begin to shape a more open, honest and trusting workplace, where employees can discuss their mental health issues and seek support.
Key Components of Suicide First Aid Training
In 2022, there were 6,588 deaths registered in the UK where the cause was recorded as suicide. Three-quarters of those were among males with a rate of 16.4 deaths per 100,000, while the figure for females was 5.4 per 100,000. The highest rates were observed in females aged 50 to 54, and in males aged 90 and over, followed by those aged 45 to 49, at 23.0 per 100,000.A quick glance at these figures and those we touched on at the start of this article reinforces the fact that someone you know, either personally or professionally, may be suffering from mental health issues. We all have the potential to help, and this is where Suicide First Aid Training is critical.
By gaining a solid understanding of the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills, you can confidently intervene when there is a risk of suicide, helping those suffering from suicidal thoughts, feel safe from their behaviour whilst being able to refer them to suicide first aiders.At GBS Corporate Training, we offer comprehensive courses to enhance mental wellbeing throughout your workforce. Our Mental Health First Aid course, which can be completed virtually or in-house, teaches teams the ability to address mental health issues early on and build a deeper understanding of mental health in the workplace. Building on this solid foundation, we have introduced two specialist courses in association with the National Centre for Suicide Prevention Education and Training (NCSPET) and accredited by City and Guilds of London: Suicide First Aid®: Lite and Suicide First Aid®: Understanding Suicide Intervention (SFA USI). Both of these courses are focused on increasing awareness and intervention skills, empowering participants to confidently address suicide risks, and helping shape supportive and proactive workplaces that prioritise the mental wellbeing of all employees.
To learn more about each of these courses, please visit the Personal Impact and Effectiveness area of our website or contact our friendly team today.
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