The Importance of Investing in Mental Health Training for Businesses

By Heather Suttie

Since the 2020 pandemic, Mynd Up state’s poor mental health has been on the rise. It’s now suggested that over 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder each year in the UK.

But, while so many suffer, funding and mental health services are still limited, with long wait times and limited treatment options. The stigma around many mental health conditions remains and many can’t get the help they need.

Anxiety is the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults (19.1% of the population).
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Award-winning tech company This is Milk is committed to improving mental health in the workplace and the Glasgow-based business is running a series of the two-day Public Health Scotland accredited training course, Scottish Mental Health First Aid.

Mental health has emerged as a critical concern in contemporary society, affecting individuals in all aspects of their lives, including their professional endeavours.

Businesses, recognising the significance of mental well-being, are increasingly realising the need to invest in mental health training for employees.

Promoting Employee Well-being

Investing in mental health training allows businesses to prioritise the well-being of their employees. By fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, businesses can help prevent mental health issues and promote overall well-being. Mental health training equips employees with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of distress in themselves and their colleagues, enabling early intervention and support. This proactive approach helps reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout, ultimately enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.

Enhancing Productivity and Performance

Mental health training positively impacts productivity and performance within the workplace. Employees who receive proper training are more likely to develop coping mechanisms, resilience, and stress-management skills. This leads to increased focus, concentration, and the ability to handle workplace challenges effectively. Mental health training can reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and workplace conflicts. Employees with improved mental well-being are more engaged, motivated, and productive, contributing to higher overall organisational performance.

Creating a Positive Organisational Culture

Investing in mental health training sends a powerful message to employees that their well-being is valued. This fosters a positive organisational culture that prioritises mental health and encourages open communication. By promoting awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues, businesses create a safe space where employees feel comfortable seeking support. This inclusive environment enhances employee morale, loyalty, and commitment, promoting a positive employer brand that attracts and retains top talent.

Reducing Costs

Mental health issues can lead to significant costs for businesses, including healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and increased turnover rates. Investing in mental health training acts as a preventive measure, reducing the occurrence and severity of mental health challenges. Early intervention through proper training can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate, saving costs associated with absenteeism, long-term disability, and recruitment. Businesses that invest in mental health training can benefit from reduced healthcare expenses and increased productivity, leading to long-term cost savings.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

From a legal and ethical standpoint, investing in mental health training aligns with the principles of workplace health and safety. Laws and regulations increasingly recognise mental health as a significant aspect of employee well-being. By providing mental health training, businesses demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling their duty of care towards their employees and complying with relevant legislation. This not only mitigates legal risks but also showcases an organisation’s ethical responsibility to prioritise mental health.

Investing in mental health training is an imperative step for businesses seeking to create a supportive work environment that promotes employee well-being, enhances productivity, and reduces costs. By prioritising mental health, organisations can foster a positive organisational culture, improve employee satisfaction, and attract and retain top talent.

Businesses that invest in mental health training demonstrate their commitment to legal compliance and ethical responsibility. Ultimately, these investments yield significant long-term benefits for both individuals and organisations, making mental health training an essential and worthwhile endeavour.

By completing this course from This is Milk, you will learn effective listening skills, gain the confidence and tools to open up conversations about mental health and suicide and learn about various mental health conditions.

The course includes:

• Guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider
• Attitudes to mental health issues
• Equalities
• The recovery message
• The impact of alcohol and drugs on mental health
• Introduction to suicide intervention
• Listening skills
• Understanding depression
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing depression.
• Understanding Anxiety
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing anxiety
• Understanding psychosis
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing a psychotic episode

Important to note: The course does not train people to be mental health workers. It offers basic general information about mental health problems. The knowledge presented and understanding developed in the course will help to remove stigma and fear and give confidence in approaching a person in distress.

Scottish Mental Health First Aid is an initial response to the distress, and all participants in the course understand that this help is given only until other suitable or professional help can be found.

The course is delivered across 2 full days – Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th of September or Thursday 26th October and Friday 27th October or Monday 13th November and Tuesday 14th November 2023 from 09:00-17:00. Attendance is required on both days to complete the course. Learn more here. This is Milk can also offer further dates for group bookings of 10 or more.


Read the original article on London Daily News.