The importance of mental health training courses

Prioritising mental health in the workplace offers numerous benefits and can positively contribute to an organisation’s overall performance. More importantly, though, when we take the time to understand mental health and create a positive mental health culture at work, it makes an enormous difference in individuals’ lives.

Mental health matters. Our mental health has a huge impact on every area of our life. Mental health training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive difference to their own mental wellbeing and that of others.

In this article, we will explore what mental health is and how mental health training courses are important in promoting good mental health.

What is mental health?

When we talk about mental health, we mean our emotional state, our thought processes, and how we cope with the stresses of life. Everyone’s mental health exists on a scale and fluctuates from day to day.

Caring for our mental health is extremely important to our overall health and wellbeing. Our mental health plays a significant role in our ability to make good decisions, maintain relationships, manage stress, and live our best life.

When we experience negative life events or circumstances, it can harm our mental health. Sometimes, when our mental health is poor, it can evolve into a diagnosed mental health condition like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What is a mental health training course?

There are many different types of mental health training courses available. While some are aimed at mental health professionals, many courses benefit employers, educators, community leaders, and the general public.

Mental health training courses are usually designed to provide individuals with a deep understanding of mental health and equip them with the skills they need to support those with poor mental health.

Some common objectives of mental health training courses include:

• Build awareness of mental health issues.
• Understand specific mental health conditions.
• Develop skills to support those experiencing a mental health issue.
• Promote mental wellbeing.
• Destigmatise mental health.
• Provide information about mental health resources.

Who can enrol on a mental health training course?

An individual’s eligibility for a mental health training course depends on the course’s complexity, requirements, and intended audience. While some mental health training courses may have no prerequisites for enrolment and be accessible to anyone, others may require you to be employed in a particular role or possess specific professional qualifications. However, most mental health training courses are generally available to a wide range of individuals, regardless of their profession or background.

Some of the different types of people who commonly enrol on mental health training courses include:

• Healthcare professionals
• Employers, managers, and supervisors
• Teachers and school counsellors
• Human resources professionals
• Emergency services personnel
• Community workers

Why is it important to have a trained mental health first aider in the workplace?

Mental health first aider training is a popular type of mental health training for employers. It is usually completed by managers or supervisors, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to promote positive mental health in the workplace and support employees experiencing poor mental health.

Mental health first aiders play a key role in helping employers meet their ‘duty of care’ to their employees and create a positive, healthy, and happy workplace culture. Once trained, mental health first aiders are responsible for destigmatising mental health at work by starting conversations around the topic.

Individuals must complete a professional training course to act as a mental first aider. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify signs and symptoms of mental health issues, stage interventions, and provide support by developing a first aid action plan and signposting employees to relevant support services or resources. Mental health first aiders are also trained to provide critical and potentially life-saving first aid in the event of a mental health crisis.

The work that mental health first aiders do to promote positive attitudes towards mental health in the workplace is invaluable for several reasons. Let’s find out what these are:

• Comply with legal requirements – Employing trained mental health first aiders helps employers meet their legal obligations regarding employee health and wellbeing and preventing discrimination in the workplace.
• Provide a lifeline to employees in distress – Mental health first aiders respond to mental health crises and initiate conversations with employees showing signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Staging early interventions can be crucial, helping employees get the support they need before the problem escalates.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment – When employees feel that their employer cares about and actively supports their health and wellbeing, it can significantly boost morale. A happy and healthy workforce is usually more motivated, creative, engaged, and productive.
• Minimise absenteeism – Did you know that around 12.7% of sick days in the UK are attributed to mental health issues? By prioritising employee mental health, employers can cut the number of sick days their employees take and reduce the costs associated with absence and illness.
• Improve employee retention – Demonstrating an organisation’s commitment to promoting good mental health at work can increase employee loyalty and reduce staff turnover and the costs associated with recruitment.

Mental health training courses with CBAT

Do you want to make a positive difference in the lives of others? If you’re interested in learning more about mental health training courses, speak to our team here at Care Business Associates to learn which mental health training course is most suited to your needs.

We run a popular course in first aid for mental health called the FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health (RFQ). Throughout just four afternoons, this course will teach you everything you need to know to act as a mental health first aider. For more information about this course or to find out about similar courses we run, call our team on 01772 816 922 or email admin@cba-training.co.uk.