First Aid for Mental Health Awareness​

We often take our health and wellbeing for granted without stopping to think of how life could feel if we were to become ill. While we may exercise more and eat better to benefit our physical health it is often our mental health that is neglected.
 
With 1 in 4 people being affected by mental ill health at some point in their lives, it is more important than ever that we treat mental and physical health equally, providing education, training and support in the workplace.
 
Would it surprise you to know that that the most common cause of long term absence from work is Mental ill heath at a whopping 56% in 2018. *With the top cause of stress-related absence being workloads and/or volume of work.
 
While technology has helped make working quicker, easier and more efficient it also seems it is having a long term effect on stress and mental ill health in our lives.
 
In 2017, The Government recognised that there is a growing crisis and commissioned Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer (Chief Executive of Mind) to independently review the role employers can play to better support mental health conditions in the workplace. The “Thriving at Work” report sets out a framework called “Core Standards” that should be put into place. These standards are to help employers improve the mental health of their organisation and enable individuals with mental health conditions to feel supported.
 
Organisations are being encouraged to establish new health and wellbeing policy to address the workplace standards for their people, with one of these initiatives being the introduction of regulated First Aid for Mental Health courses. The benefits of investing in health and wellbeing have shown better employee morale and engagement (44%), a healthy more inclusive culture (35%) and lower sick absences (31%).1
 
These courses aim to raise awareness, knowledge and qualifications for individuals in the workplace. Qualifications include OFQUAL regulated Level 2 qualifications in First Aid for Mental Health, similar to the First Aider’s role within the workplace.
 
Health and Wellbeing is a topic we are very passionate about here at Topaz Health Training and have undertaken instructor training qualifications to offer the following courses from Mar 2019:
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• Level 1 Award in Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
• Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)
• Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)

 
To find out more about upcoming courses and how you can help improve mental health in your organisation contact us today.
 
Source *:  Health and Well-being at Work Survey 2018.  www.cipd.co.uk/healthandwellbeing2018