One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. In the workplace, poor mental health is now the leading cause of sickness absence, costing UK employers an estimated £56 billion annually. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training equips employees with the skills to recognise, understand, and respond to colleagues who may be experiencing mental health difficulties.
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is the mental health equivalent of physical first aid. Just as a first aider can provide initial help for a physical injury before professional treatment, a Mental Health First Aider can:
- Recognise the early signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions
- Provide initial, non-judgmental support and reassurance
- Guide someone towards appropriate professional help
- Help during a mental health crisis (panic attack, suicidal thoughts, self-harm)
What Does the Training Cover?
A full MHFA course (typically two days) covers:
- Depression — signs, symptoms, and how to support someone
- Anxiety disorders — generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD
- Psychosis — recognising psychotic episodes and how to respond
- Eating disorders — anorexia, bulimia, binge eating
- Self-harm and suicide — risk factors, warning signs, and how to have difficult conversations
- Substance misuse — alcohol and drug problems in the workplace
- The MHFA action plan — a structured approach to providing first aid for mental health
Is It a Legal Requirement?
There is currently no specific legal requirement to have Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. However, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to protect the health (including mental health) of their employees. The HSE has also made clear that workplace stress and mental health are within the scope of health and safety law.
In practice, more and more employers are providing MHFA training as part of their duty of care, and having trained Mental Health First Aiders is increasingly viewed as best practice.
The Business Case
Beyond the moral argument, there is a strong business case for MHFA:
- Reduced absence — early intervention prevents problems escalating
- Improved retention — employees value workplaces that care about wellbeing
- Better productivity — supported employees perform better
- Positive culture — reduces stigma and encourages people to seek help early
Mental Health Training in Cumbria
We offer mental health awareness and Mental Health First Aid courses at our Penrith centre and on-site across Cumbria. We also offer online mental health awareness courses for flexible learning. View our first aid training courses or contact us to arrange training.