Cosaint Training are approved to deliver NEW courses in First Aid for Mental Health.

 

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is defined as “psychological and emotional wellbeing”.

Mental ill-health has reached an all-time high in the UK. As employers, we take steps to ensure the physical health and safety of employees, which is undoubtedly important, but with mental ill-health reaching epidemic proportions, employers are in a unique position to be able to offer employees support for mental ill-health as well.

  • 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer with a mental health condition – 75% do not receive treatment
  • 1 in 6 employees in the UK suffer with a mental health condition
  • Every year, for each employee whose mental health needs are unsupported, it costs businesses £1,300 on average. The annual impact to the economy is estimated to exceed £100bn.
  • 84% of UK line managers believe they are responsible for employee wellbeing, but only 24% have received training.

Most people have either first-hand experience of mental ill-health, or secondary experience through a friend or family member’s mental health struggles. There are few people who don’t have a mental health story to share.

The benefits of talking about mental health are well-known, and have a significant positive impact on treatment rates, recovery rates, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health problems.

But many people don’t know what to say, or are fearful of saying the wrong thing.

First Aid for Mental Health Training

 

First Aid for Mental Health means having someone in your organisation (or multiple people) trained to properly listen and understand, as well as knowing where to sign-post an individual to for help. A trusted, calm and non-judgmental listener can be the first step in essential treatment and recovery.

Organisations are legally required to provide trained first aiders to handle physical injuries in the workplace. There is a campaign to make it a legal requirement to provide trained first aiders for mental health in the workplace, but until that legislation is passed, organisations can make the critical decision of ensuring they provide trained staff to deliver first aid for mental health. This helps to not only raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the stigma faced by those who experience them, but also helps to create a positive mental health culture within your workplace.

Participants on our recent Level 3 First Aid for Mental Health course provided the following feedback:

“It was brilliant. I really enjoyed the course and learning about different mental health conditions that I never understood before Excellent trainer – very informative.” KD, Lisburn RFC.

“I found the experience rewarding and it gave me a greater understanding of the subject matter. I now want to develop my knowledge in order to help others.” E Roxborough, H&S Manager, Glanbia.

“Excellent knowledge and there was a great flow to the course.” M Grundy, Balloo Hire Centres.

Find out more about our First Aid for Mental Health training courses. Contact us for more information or to book your place on our next course.