Why every workplace needs a mental health first aider
Second Step’s Trauma-informed Training Team run an accessible, friendly and dynamic mental health first aid training sessions for organisations keen to support their staff team’s mental health and wellbeing – read on to find out more!
Introduction
Did you know poor mental wellbeing costs employers in the UK an alarming £42 to £45 billion annually, through high staff turnover, sickness absence and presenteeism? [Mental health at work: statistics | Mental Health Foundation]
According to Mental Health UK, one in five workers have taken time off due to poor mental health caused by stress and anxiety [Burnout Report 2026: High stress pushing workers into sick leave as just one in four feel mental health is genuinely prioritised and supported in the workplace – Mental Health UK] and 9 in 10 workers experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the last year.
By having a someone trained in mental health first aid in the workplace, staff and colleagues can be better supported through early intervention techniques.
What is mental health first aid?
Just as traditional first aid is the first port of call in treating physical injuries, mental health first aid supports people experiencing poor mental health until professional help is available.
Our physical health is often visible to the people around us – for example, someone might be able to see and treat an injury until a professional can provide care. But our mental health can be much more concealed, so mental health first aid also teaches you how to recognise the signs of a crisis.
Mental health first aiders aren’t therapists or psychologists, they’re there to bridge the gap until a professional can takeover. By being equipped with the skills to identify a mental health crisis, such as panic attacks or suicidal thoughts, mental health first aiders can provide critical support in the first moments of a crisis.
We all experience poor mental health from time to time, at differing levels of severity. When poor mental health impacts someone at work, being able to talk to someone qualified in mental health first aid can provide some much-needed breathing space.
Why is mental health first aid important?
In the same way we all have physical health, everyone experiences mental health. And just like our physical health, our mental health can be in a positive state – or sometimes it might be something we struggle with. Physical first aiders are essential in the first moments of a physical health challenge (such as an injury or fall); in the same way, mental health first aiders provide essential, temporary support to someone struggling with their mental health.
Having a mental health first aider in the workplace means there is someone who can provide meaningful, early support when it’s needed and has the knowledge to signpost someone to workplace wellbeing resources.
Having a mental health first aider in the workplace also has benefits for the wider team; not only can early intervention potentially reduce time lost to sickness and absence, but it also demonstrates a wider cultural shift to taking mental health at work seriously. Combined, these factors can lead to:
- Reduced stigma around mental health
- More open discussions with colleagues
- A safe and supportive working environment
- Improved morale.
All good stuff for staff and for business.
What do mental health first aiders do?
Supporting mental health and wellbeing at work helps develop a more inclusive environment and forms the building blocks of a healthy support network. When people feel their mental health is supported at work, they become more engaged and productive.
A workplace mental health first aider can:
- Spot signs of mental health issues or emotional distress
- Raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma
- Start healthy, supportive conversations
- Provide a safe, confidential space to talk
- Listen non-judgementally
- Assess risk of self-harm or suicide
- Support access to crisis or emergency services if needed
- Signpost to mental health resources and support services.
What mental health issues do mental health first aiders help with?
Mental health first aiders are not therapists or psychologists and so don’t diagnose or work with specific issues. But they can provide a crucial supportive space for someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Stress and anxiety are particularly common workplace mental health issues, often directly related to pressures at work. Experiencing stress and anxiety at work for an extended time can lead to burnout, and burnout can be long-lasting and difficult to manage. In some industries, such as the charity and support work sectors, workers may experience vicarious trauma which can occur when workers have regularly come into contact with trauma in the workplace.
By having someone trained in mental health first aid on hand, they can offer much needed support with these common issues.
What is the difference between mental health first aid and physical first aid?
Both mental health first aid and physical first aid provide basic, immediate care to someone who is unwell or in distress. The goal of both is to keep the person safe and prevent the situation from worsening, sometimes while waiting for professional medical assistance, e.g. paramedics.
However, while physical first aiders are trained to respond to physical injuries or distress, such as cuts and scrapes, falls, choking or administering EpiPens, mental health first aiders are trained to respond to people experiencing mental ill health. This might be in the form of a known mental health issue or by supporting someone experiencing emotional distress. The mental health first aider will hold supportive, non-judgemental conversations, assess risk of harm to the person experiencing the crisis, and help people access support services.
What do you learn in mental health first aid training?
By attending our mental health first aid training, staff and colleagues can be better equipped to respond to a mental health crisis. As a leading mental health charity Second Step has years of experience delivering training to our own staff and to other organisations and sectors.
On our course, mental health first aiders learn:
- To recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health distress
- How to start open conversations about mental health
- Skills to assess and respond in crisis situations
- To develop boundaries and confidentiality
- How and when to signpost for mental health support
- The importance of self-care and creating a personal wellbeing plan.
Book with us today
Our training is delivered by people with mental health expertise and lived experience. Every booking with us helps support our vital mental health work.