Loch Training & Wellbeing

Mental Health First Aid Awareness Training

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The Importance of Mental Health First Aid Training

Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty to look after the health, safety and welfare of their workers. Given that stress, anxiety and depression are now the biggest causes of sickness absence in the UK, this duty will include looking after the mental health of staff.

A Mental Health First Aider is trained to spot the symptoms of mental health issues and offer initial help and support to staff who are experiencing difficulties.

The benefits of having a trained Mental Health First Aider are numerous; not only does it help you to meet your legal obligations under Health and Safety Legislation, but it also demonstrates to your colleagues that you care about their wellbeing, helping to embed a culture of support and inclusivity.

In addition to this, having trained Mental Health First Aiders in your workforce and ensuring your workplace culture supports staff wellbeing and mental health can result in reduced absenteeism and presenteeism, decreased staff turnover and better productivity and performance.

To find out more about Mental Health First Aid training and how to book onto our next training session, please click here.

Health services:

Enquire now on 0203 667 5400

Our experts are waiting to talk with you and our aim is to respond to all enquiries within 2 hours.

How Loch Wellness can help:

By using our training to train Mental Health First Aiders within your workforce, you are taking proactive steps to support the mental health and wellbeing of your employees and minimising the risk that they will take time off work as a result of mental health issues.

Our two-day training course is available for up to 16 participants and can be delivered on-site at your location, or at a venue to suit you. For every £1 you invest in mental health training, studies have shown you are able to generate £9.98 in return, through increased productivity and fewer absences from work.

Our two day course, backed by MHFA England, will train your employees to become Mental Health First Aiders and give them an in-depth understanding of mental health challenges and factors that can affect wellbeing. They’ll learn how to recognise the warning signs, develop the skills and confidence to reassure a person in distress and acquire the knowledge to signpost colleagues to further support. Learning outcomes include:

  • Learn how to identify the early warning signs of mental ill-health
    Develop confidence to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis
  • Learn how to provide support and reassurance through enhanced interpersonal skills and non-judgemental listening
  • Develop an awareness of the options available to signpost someone to the right support
  • Reduce the stigma of mental health at work

Our course accreditation: Our Mental Health First Aid Training is accredited by MHFA England

We can also work with you to develop an organisation-wide wellbeing strategy. In doing so, we work with experts from across the Loch Associates Group meaning that as we develop your strategy, it will be supported by specialist Employment Lawyers, HR Consultants and Mental Health Experts.

Your wellbeing strategy will be tailored to your business needs, and we will work with you to embed each element within your business effectively. We provide a cost-effective approach to mental health, helping you reduce the costs from this spiralling global health issue.

Loch Training & Wellbeing

Testimonials

Thank you for the superb advice you have provided us with over the years.

Business Owner – Care Sector

With his first-hand experience in dealing with all kinds of medical emergencies; Bruce is not only able to provide us with the latest guidelines and techniques but also the kind of personal support you need when facing the stressful situation of how you will react during a medical emergency.

Pieter, Dentist

When I saw Bruce last year I was in a very bad place mentally. For me personally, he came into my life at the right time and if it wasn’t for him I really don’t know if I would be here today. He listened to me and made other people listen and changes were made for the better which helped me, as it improved my life for me. I am in a much better place now and happier in my work and it’s all thanks to Bruce.

Employee

Bruce was extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made the 3 days training really enjoyable. His experience as a paramedic gave us 100% confidence that we were receiving the best possible training.

Business Travel Consultant

Your note was clear about the matter and was helpful in forming our review

Finance Director

The firm is unique, bespoke, and provides a fantastic personalised service.

Chambers and Partners

The whole team is always incredibly responsive, and they work hard to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible.

Chambers UK 2017

This is one of the best courses I have been on. The content has been very relevant and practical which will help me in my role and also in my personal life. The instructors have been engaging; passing on their passion for this subject.

Training course feedback

I am highly appreciative of the advice and work I received from Joe Milner and the team at Loch Associates Group.

Joe assisted me with drafting complex supplier contracts and templates for my business and I cannot praise him enough. The work was thorough and Joe’s attention to detail showed he had taken time to really understand what was needed, suggesting ways to adapt them as necessary for our business.

All communications, including from the support team were clear and timely. It was interesting to hear they offer a retainer service, which means Joe can effectively work as the Company’s in-house counsel too, which is a useful service for a business of our size.

Thank you again!

Simon Adby, Nice Work

I found this course to be excellent. The knowledge I have gained a be so useful for my work and personal. The learning exercises were so good too. It was also beneficial to discuss experiences with others.

Training course feedback

Being a new employer can be very daunting but she gave me the confidence to forge ahead with the process always explaining things in a straight forward manner.

Dave Mac, Employer

Thanks for all your help. Very impressed with how you pressed the negotiations forward on Wednesday to allow us to reach a quick resolution.

App Developer

A pragmatic and common-sense approach is a key factor in why I turn to the firm for advice.

Client

Your approach is one of collaboration, taking your time to understand the issues, and our position, and then working proactively with us in a practical manner.

FD, Architecture Firm

I was an attendee of the course and after talking to my colleagues who were there we have all said how eye-opening and informative it was. We found a more interactive approach was beneficial as we could relate and draw from our own experiences.

Training course feedback

Bruce was a very engaging trainer, and very creative in his approach. He had his audience connecting very well. The training course was very interesting. Thank you, Bruce.

First Aid Feedback

Your note was very clear about the seemingly complicated and tricky matter and was very helpful in forming our view. Thanks again for your valuable advice and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Finance Director, Manufacturing

Why pay more for a Mental Health First Aid Course, when I’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere online?

Our training courses are delivered by experts who have real world experience in managing mental health in the workplace. Our trainers share realistic and practical advice that will ensure attendees are equipped to cope with mental health issues at work.

We can also develop bespoke training courses to suit your requirements and can deliver courses both in-house, at your premises, or in a venue to suit you.

What is an employer’s obligation towards employee mental wellbeing?

Under Health and Safety Legislation, employers have a duty to care for the health of their staff. The Health and Safety Executive has made it clear that this extends to caring for both their physical and mental health. Further, under the Equality Act 2010, a mental ill health condition can be considered to be a disability if it has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on an individual’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The Equality Act places certain obligations on an employer to consider and make reasonable adjustments when a disability is identified, to ensure the employee is not discriminated against in the workplace.

Embedding a workplace culture where mental ill health conditions can be discussed in the same way as physical illnesses will help to minimise the risks of discrimination claims, as well as assisting with tackling high rates of employee absence, poor performance and excessive staff turnover.

The ‘Thriving at Work’ review cites research, conducted by Deloitte, which demonstrates the return on investment employers who invest in mental health in the workplace experience. The review advises that the average return for every pound spent was £4.20, with figures ranging from 40p to £9. This demonstrates an overwhelmingly positive outcome for employers who invest in supporting the mental health of their workforce.

What is the role of a Mental Health First Aider?

A trained Mental Health First Aider is taught how to spot the signs a colleague might be suffering from mental ill health and signpost them early on to appropriate support. In order to fully benefit from investing in Mental Health First Aid Training, employers need to think carefully about who, within their organisation, would be best placed to train as a Mental Health First Aider. For example, an HR professional may not be best placed to do so, given the already high demands placed on their time and the potential for conflict to arise, but there will be others who would be ideal for carrying out this role.

Once your staff have been trained as Mental Health First Aiders, we can support them in carrying out their role as part of your wider wellbeing strategy. This will help embed a culture of best practice around mental health and wellbeing support and show colleagues that your organisation takes mental health and wellbeing seriously.

Enquire now on 0203 667 5400

Our experts are waiting to talk with you and our aim is to respond to all enquiries within 2 hours.

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