Are you or your employees prepared to help a colleague experiencing mental health challenges?
In recent years, a staggering 40% of employees reported that their jobs have had a negative impact on their mental health, and 75% of employees indicated that stigma was present in their workplaces. These numbers continue to rise and can have a direct impact on team members’ overall wellbeing and engagement, productivity and retention in the workplace.
Now more than ever, it’s essential to create a thriving workforce with healthier and more engaged employees. That’s where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work comes in.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use-related crisis.
It’s informed by research. More than 40 peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that MHFA training increases mental health literacy, confidence in helping others and empathy toward individuals in distress.
It’s trusted by leading companies. Cobranded or customized, in person or online, for frontlines or boardrooms — MHFA has been taught to millions.
It’s developed and delivered by experts. Created and taught by quality-assured mental health experts.
Our latest MHFA at Work courses are designed to empower every level of your organization, fostering a culture of support, compassion and wellbeing. It’s available in industry-specific versions for restaurants, retail and manufacturing, and there are learning options for every employee. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes tour of our four course options, each one tailored to drive positive change in your workplace.
Deliver basic mental health education to all employees with MHFA at Work Intro. This self-paced, mobile-friendly eLearning course teaches employees how to understand and reduce stigma in the workplace, recognize and help a colleague who may be experiencing a noncrisis mental health or substance use challenge, build a resilient mindset and implement best practices for self-care. It’s scalable to any number of employees and can be accessed anywhere at any time.
One of the best ways to create a culture of wellbeing is to give your staff a way to step up and make a difference in the lives of their peers. Upskill employees by getting them certified with MHFA at Work Certification through this Instructor-led training that builds on the knowledge gained in MHFA at Work Intro. Certification helps employees practice the skills needed to recognize and respond to a coworker who may be experiencing a noncrisis or crisis mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with the appropriate resources in accordance with company policies.
Create a network of peer support with MHFA at Work Champion. This Instructor-led session builds on the knowledge gained in MHFA at Work Certification and empowers a network of employees to provide mental health and substance use support to other employees as the company’s go-to resource. Employees will develop an action plan for carrying out their role as a MHFA at Work Champion.
Develop your wellbeing strategy with MHFA at Work Transform. This interactive Instructor-led workshop brings together management, HR and legal professionals from your organization to discuss your organization’s current mental health culture and create a cohesive strategy to address factors that may be impacting workers on their path to a healthy workplace that enhances employee wellbeing.
These courses build on each other, offering a powerful education on mental health and substance use. At the core of our courses is a commitment to pave the way for a workplace where mental health is not just a priority, but a cornerstone of success.
MHFA at Work training became integral at Xylem Inc. after its 2019 inception, initially aimed at raising mental health awareness and support throughout the company. Its significance soared in the wake of the pandemic.
“This training has become more and more important during and post-pandemic. It has especially helped people leaders, human resources and environmental health safety and security colleagues understand mental health illnesses on a deeper level and has given them the confidence and courage to handle any related situations that could potentially arise in the workplace. Unfortunately, these cases are on the rise, and it is important that leaders and colleagues across the company know how to address them with the utmost empathy and human care as possible. This training makes this possible.”
Brooke Castillo, Xylem Inc.
With MHFA at Work, employees at every level learn how to recognize and respond to colleagues who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge in the workplace, build a resilient mindset and implement best practices for self-care.
For more information, check out this flyer. If you’re an employer and ready to bring MHFA at Work to your workplace, fill out this interest form and we’ll connect with you. If you’re an employee and would like to get your boss on board, we can help. Use this easily adapted email template, filled with everything you need to help get them on board. Download the pre-written email.
