Isobel Shea of Understanding Minds, a local mental health and suicide prevention training company in Milton Keynes, explains what Mental Health First Aid training is and why it’s vital to businesses.
In the UK, employers are losing £57 billion annually due to work-related poor mental health, with the highest costs coming from presenteeism and sickness absence. With 1 in 6 working adults in the UK experiencing mental health problems at any given time, this means that the chances are, some of your employees may be struggling with their mental health right now.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), one of the training courses I deliver at Understanding Minds, organisations a powerful way to take meaningful action, creating supportive, mentally healthy workplaces where employees can thrive.
What is Mental Health First Aid Training?
Mental Health First Aid is structured training that equips your employees with the skills to recognise and respond to colleagues experiencing poor mental health. Just as physical first aiders provide immediate care before professional help arrives, Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAider®) offer initial support and information to encourage the person to seek professional services.
Mental Health First Aid training is an internationally recognised programme, designed by MHFA England and accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health. It covers a range of topics commonly experienced by employees, from anxiety and depression to stress management and suicide prevention.
Milton Keynes Based Expert Workplace Wellbeing Training
As well as being an experienced training instructor, I also have years of frontline experience being a mental health professional working with men, employees, children and young people, as well as providing mental health crisis support. This hands-on background shapes how I approach workplace wellbeing, with real understanding, rather than just theory.
Through my work supporting employees and coaching businesses on staff wellbeing, I see firsthand how mental health stigma in workplaces still exists, and the negative impact it causes. Furthermore, recent research from the national mental health charity Mind shows an alarming rise in mental health stigma in the UK, making early intervention clearly essential for both employees and organisations. Investing in mental health training offers a valuable opportunity for businesses to create meaningful improvements in their employees’ wellbeing.
Why Mental Health First Aid Is a Workplace Essential
Beyond the financial impact of poor mental health on businesses, Mental Health First Aid transforms workplace culture. When you train MHFAiders®, you send a clear message that mental wellbeing matters, encouraging open conversations and reducing stigma.
The presence of trained MHFAiders® normalises discussions around mental health. When your people know support is available, they're more likely to seek help before issues become severe. This early intervention prevents prolonged absences, reduces staff turnover, and maintains team cohesion.
The Impact of MHFA in the Workplace
The evidence clearly shows that mental health training reduces absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover costs while significantly improving employee job satisfaction. This is because employees who feel valued and supported in their mental health are more motivated, more productive, and, if encouraged to seek early support by a MHFAider®, less likely to take long-term sick leave.
Also, by investing in this training, your business will demonstrate how you care about your people, helping you to attract and retain the talent that will drive your organisation forward.
What is the Role of a Mental Health First Aider?
A Mental Health First Aider serves as a vital point of contact for employees experiencing poor mental health or emotional distress. Your MHFAiders® aren't trained to be therapists; instead, they're trained to offer initial support through non-judgmental listening and practical guidance. They learn to spot early signs of mental ill health, start supportive conversations, assess risk, and encourage colleagues to access professional support.
Who Should Go on an MHFA Course?
This training welcomes anyone passionate about workplace mental health, and no previous experience working in mental health. While particularly valuable for HR professionals, wellbeing coordinators, and managers, any employee at any level can become an effective MHFAider®. I’ve delivered this training to a huge variety of roles, from IT teams, park rangers, to school teachers.
How Is The Course Structured?
Your employees complete a comprehensive two-day course, delivered either in-person or online by myself. During the course, they'll learn about mental health conditions, recovery, support services and how to apply the Mental Health First Aid action plan to provide effective support.
What is Included in the MHFA Training Support Package?
By training with Understanding Minds, your employees will continue to learn and be supported beyond the initial two days of training. This is because each of your employees who participate in the course and become certified a MHFAider® will receive three years of certification with MHFA England and access to:
- 24/7 MHFAider® Support App
- Community Updates and Online Learning Hub
- Professional Association of MHFAiders®
- Exclusive Webinars for continued learning
- Comprehensive Learning Materials
How Many MHFAiders® Does Our Organisation Need?
MHFA England recommends at least one MHFAider® per 10 employees, though this varies based on your organisation's size and structure.
