Mental health awareness in the workplace is important for everyone, regardless of which sector a business operates in or an individual's seniority level. It can improve awareness of poor mental wellbeing, reduce damaging stigmas and encourage an open and honest workplace culture. As of 2018, all employers are encouraged to cover mental health first aid training, similar to the requirement for first aid at work training. Workplaces also have a duty of care, which means they must do everything possible to support the health, wellbeing and safety of employees both physically and mentally.
Some mental health issues may be more common in certain sectors, which is why it's also important to consider how the context of a workplace might influence the approach to mental health awareness training. In the construction industry, for example, depression, anxiety and stress account for one-fifth of work-related illnesses, while stress and burnout account for the majority of work-related absences in manufacturing. These differences, alongside other business-specific needs, may change the way employers approach mental health awareness training.
Mental Health Awareness Training Objectives
Outlining the goals of mental health awareness training before implementing it in a workplace ensures key staff members are on the same page. A lack of clarity on these goals or jumping into the training without considering the outcomes could reduce its overall effectiveness, alongside making it difficult to track its success.
Objectives of training may include: - Raising awareness of mental health issues and their prevalence in a specific industry - Encouraging early intervention to support employees before issues escalate - Improving confidence in dealing with mental illness - Reducing mental health stigma - Fostering a culture of openness and honesty in the workplace
These can differ depending on several factors, including any existing training in place or specific mental health issues that may have been identified in a workplace.
Understanding Common Mental Health Disorders
Without a good foundation of knowledge about mental health disorders across the workforce, employers risk leaving managers and colleagues in the dark about how to even begin supporting employees if they open up about any issues they're dealing with. A major focus of mental health awareness training should be on levelling up the understanding each employee has of mental health and mental disorders. Higher quality education on these topics should make it easier to better understand employees and their needs.
Mental health awareness training should begin by running through some of the most common disorders and how they may affect people. This could include a summary of the following disorders:
- Anxiety: A frequent and persistent feeling of worry or fear, which can cause a person to feel tense, disconnected and unable to relax.
- Depression: A persistent low mood, which may lead to a loss of interest in activities, extreme sadness, hopelessness, and changes in sleep and appetite.
- Stress: The body's natural response to pressure, which can range from moderate to severe.
Knowing which resources are available can help workers get the support they need, so it's important that these are accessible.
Creating a Psychologically Safe Team Culture
Creating a safe culture is the end goal to ensure all employees feel safe and supported. For businesses, this kind of culture can improve productivity, boost efficiency and lower staff turnover, while employees benefit from job satisfaction, better workplace relationships and a welcoming environment at work.
Training managers and employees to build this culture can involve several strategies, from traditional team building exercises to developing a better understanding of what makes a workplace feel safe. Our personal successes and perceived failures at work often impact our mental health and well-being. Until recently, many employers have not considered the mental health of employees. Workplace wellness initiatives have provided workers with additional benefits but have not considered a deeper look at the workplace culture that can be a driving force behind burnout.
Evidence-based training helps managers support employee's mental health. One-hour, online Workplace Mental Health Training for Managers teaches leaders and managers tangible skills to: - Recognize the warning signs of mental health distress - Learn appropriate ways to respond to workplace mental health concerns - Learn practical strategies to reduce employee stress - Learn preventative strategies to support employees' mental health
This powerful training program was originally developed in partnership with U.S. military by occupational health experts. Employees whose managers received the training report: - Reduced anger and loneliness - Reduced risk factors for poor mental health - Improved feelings of support from manager - Increased feelings of team cohesion
Mental Health First Aid at Work
Mental Health First Aid at Work offers workplace mental health education that scales with organizational needs, from individual trainings to a comprehensive program that fosters a culture where mental wellbeing is prioritized, supported and sustained. The training makes employee assistance program benefits more likely to be used.
When employees feel good about their mental health, they're more likely to perform their best and experience improved job satisfaction. Creating a workplace culture where it's OK to talk about mental health, and where people feel safe asking for support, helps build mental wellbeing.
Mental Health First Aid at Work offers training for employees at every level — from new hires to C-suite — and it only takes 2 hours to get started. This training can address challenges in various industries, including offices, retail, manufacturing, restaurants, and other fields, meeting the specific needs of different team environments.
Millions of workers are stressed, burned out and silently struggling with their mental health or substance use. Employee assistance programs and health care benefits help, but a mentally healthy workplace often needs more. It starts with giving employees the tools to help their colleagues and themselves — not just for today, but for long-term organizational growth.
Implementation Considerations
When implementing mental health awareness training, employers should consider several factors to ensure the program's effectiveness and relevance to their specific workplace context.
First, the training should be tailored to address challenges specific to the industry. For example, construction workplaces might focus on reducing the stigma around discussing mental health in a traditionally male-dominated environment, while office settings might address digital burnout and work-life balance issues.
Second, training should be accessible to all employees at every level of the organization. Mental Health First Aid at Work offers scalable solutions, with an introductory course available for organizations under 250 employees. This ensures that even smaller businesses can benefit from mental health education without significant resource investment.
Third, knowing which resources are available can help workers get the support they need, so it's important that these are accessible. Employers should ensure employees are aware of available resources such as employee assistance programs, mental health hotlines, and counseling services.
Fourth, training should include practical strategies for reducing employee stress and supporting mental wellbeing. This might include teaching managers how to recognize warning signs of mental health distress, appropriate ways to respond to concerns, and preventative strategies to support employees' mental health.
Finally, employers should focus on creating a culture where mental wellbeing is prioritized, supported and sustained. This involves not just implementing training programs, but also fostering an environment where employees feel safe discussing mental health issues without fear of stigma or negative consequences.
Conclusion
Implementing effective mental health awareness training is crucial for creating a supportive workplace environment where employees feel valued and supported. By understanding common mental health disorders, creating psychologically safe team cultures, and providing evidence-based training for managers and employees, organizations can reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and improve overall workplace wellbeing.
The benefits of such training extend beyond individual employee health to organizational outcomes, including improved productivity, better team cohesion, and reduced staff turnover. As awareness of mental health issues continues to grow, employers have an opportunity to lead the way in creating healthier, more supportive workplace environments for all employees.