Mental Health First Aid Awareness. The importance of supporting mental health at work

We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Both change throughout our lives, and like our bodies, our minds can become unwell. The World Health Organisation describes mental health as ‘a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’.

Mental health issues can affect one in four people at some point in their lives and have a significant impact on employee wellbeing.

There’s still stigma and misunderstanding about mental health in society and the workplace. Increasing awareness of mental health can help break the taboo and start to build a more open and inclusive culture. Managers need to feel confident and competent to have sensitive conversations with staff about sensitive issues like mental health and signpost to specialist sources of support if necessary. Promoting awareness and educating the whole workforce about mental health can help to reduce the stigma and replace common myths with facts.

Hosted an Able Futures Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, this session will give an understanding of the factors that affect mental health at work and explain mental health first aid and some safeguarding principles for supporting people in distress. They will outline how Able Futures can support you and how you can plan for wellbeing in your workplace.