Almost all employees feel as though their mental health has been impacted negatively by the pandemic. Whether it’s due to long hours, uncertainty about getting regular hours, struggling to work remotely, or struggling to balance remote work with family life. Employees have lots to worry about, aside from the pandemic itself. It is important to work together to make sure that everyone in the workplace feels supported during this strange time.
If you are thinking about using Mental Health and Life to train mental health first aiders for your business, you might be wondering what the benefits are for you and your employees. Below I mention some of the main benefits of having a mental health first aider in your company.
Spotting Early Warning Signs
Being able to recognise the early warning signs of an employee who may be struggling with their mental health can make a big difference in how the situation turns out. If you can schedule regular check-ins with your employees to find out how they’re doing, you can stay more aware. This could be something as simple as an employee who is struggling with their work/life balance now that they’re working remotely. You can adjust this easily by changing their work rota. Sometimes, all someone needs is someone impartial to talk to about their concerns and know that someone is listening to them to feel better about their situation.
Reassuring Employees
Only half of the people who struggle with mental health issues speak to their managers about it. How you react to your employees, both verbally and non-verbally, will show them how confident you are at dealing with a problem, as well as how sensitively you will handle mental health. A mental health first aider will have the skills to handle a situation with confidence.
Reducing Stigma In The Workplace
Conversations about mental health have increased in recent years, there is still a stigma around the topic. Having some prominent that employees know they can talk to, and who can encourage more open conversation, will help to change the way that mental health is seen. A training course gives people the tools to open up a dialogue.
Ensuring A Healthy Workforce
A lot of people are now seeking support or medication for mental health issues, thanks to increased levels of stress. Mental health first aid training helps you to work with your employees to make sure that they have a healthy mindset and can stop them from developing further problems. A healthy workforce means fewer absences, better employee retention, and can improve morale as they feel supported and listened to.
Helping Prevent Someone From Hurting Themselves
The last thing you want to is one of your employees feeling as though the only option is to hurt themselves. By having a mental health first aider in your company, you can be alert to suicidal warnings, which could help you to save someone’s life. Sometimes an employee’s problems might be outside the workplace, but you can still offer support and resources that can help them.
If you are struggling with your mental health and would like to talk it through, please book a free coaching call with Mariette.
