The last few years have seen individuals and work environments face challenges like never before, therefore, maintaining positive mental health has become crucial for both employees and employers alike. Mental health problems can impact people not only outside of work, but also at work, such as productivity, job satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. Recognising the importance of addressing mental health concerns in the workplace, Wellbeing Campus offers the Mental Health First Aid course which is an evidence-based course that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Why Mental Health First Aid Matters at Work:

The workplace can be a breeding ground for stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, such as exposure to traumatic events or psychosocial injuries (bullying/harassment). Employees often face various pressures, from heavy workloads to interpersonal conflicts, that can take a toll on their mental health. Ignoring these issues can lead to decreased job performance, absenteeism, and increased employee turnover, and result in worse outcomes for individuals.

We recognise the significance of addressing mental health concerns proactively. Just as physical first aid training prepares individuals to respond to physical emergencies, Mental Health First Aid empowers individuals to identify, understand, and respond effectively to mental health crises. Trained staff in the workplace can assist someone by having a mental health first aid conversation and providing resources or encouraging a person to seek professional help, where appropriate. Thus, empowering individuals to access appropriate support.

An Evidenced-Based Approach:

One of the key strengths of the Mental Health First Aid course is its evidence-based foundation. The program is backed by extensive research and collaboration with mental health experts, consumers and carers ensuring that the content is accurate, up-to-date, and effective - it’s not simply someone’s personal opinion. The course has undergone rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement to maintain its high standard of quality.

MHFA use what is called the Delphi Consensus Study to gather expert consensus if there is no published evidence available. Often, researchers find the most effective ways to do things by trying them. But sometimes, it's not right to test something in those ways. In such situations, researchers ask experts for their opinions and ideas on what's best. They gather the thoughts of many experts to make decisions.

MHFA gather information from medical journals, books, websites, and other sources to understand what many people think. The experts then choose the best advice and what should be in the guidelines. This method makes sure the information we teach as Mental Health First Aid Facilitators, is evidence-based based and we can be sure about what we teach. Approximately every ten years, MHFA update our guidelines to ensure we're still teaching the correct things. You can read more about the MHFA Guidelines HERE

The Core Components of Mental Health First Aid at Work:

The Mental Health First Aid course for the workplace covers essential components designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge:

1. Recognising Signs and Symptoms: Participants learn to identify common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use problems. This knowledge helps individuals notice early warning signs in their colleagues and themselves. And we know that early intervention is key to preventing illness from becoming worse or having secondary impacts on individuals ( relationship problems, work, financial, physical health)

2. Providing Initial Support: The course teaches participants on how to provide initial assistance to someone experiencing a mental health crisis ( traumatic event, panic attack, suicidal thoughts) or experiencing a decline in mental health. This includes active listening, communicating with empathy, and encouraging the individual to seek professional help.

3. Building Mental Health Resilience: Mental Health First Aid focuses on providing first aid support. Wellbeing Campus Resilience workshops emphasise the importance of promoting mental wellbeing at work. Participants learn strategies for managing stress and building resilience, both personally and within their teams.

4. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior: The Mental Health First Aid course encourages open conversations about mental health and aims to reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help - or simply talking about mental health. MHFA Officers, those who are trained in Mental Health First Aid, are equipped to guide their colleagues to appropriate professional resources.

The Impact of Mental Health First Aid at Work:

By providing employees with Mental Health First Aid training, organisations can create a more supportive and understanding workplace culture. Empowered employees are more likely to provide support to colleagues if they feel confident to approach someone who may show signs of a decline in their mental state. It can also help individuals to recognise their own mental health needs and where to find professional help or resources to support their mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that this can also lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and reduced absenteeism, which benefits businesses and team morale.

The Mental Health First Aid Course is an evidence-based course for mental health at work are a valuable tool for enhancing employee wellbeing, reducing stigma and increasing help-seeking behaviour in the workforce. By equipping employees with the knowledge and skills to provide initial support to those in need, this course helps build a mentally healthy workplace environment.

As more organisations recognise the importance of addressing mental health concerns at work, Mental Health First Aid courses continue to play a vital role in supporting both employees and employers. By embracing this evidence-based course, workplaces can promote mental wellbeing and foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and support. We believe at a minimum 10% of employees should be trained in Mental Health First Aid, obviously the more people trained the better understanding we have around common mental illnesses.

Contact us today to find out more about implementing the Mental Health First Aid Course Melbourne in your workpalce.