The lasting impact of the pandemic on the nation’s wellbeing, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis and a looming recession threatens to put a further strain on people’s mental health and accelerate a public health emergency, warns Mental Health First Aid England. The social enterprise is calling on the Government and employers across all sectors to act now, to tackle the issue.

The country’s leading provider of mental health first training, MHFA England, has trained over 338,000 people in mental health skills and awareness since the beginning of the pandemic. Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders®) have played a vital role in supporting the nation’s mental health through the pandemic and beyond, using their skills to support the increased number of people struggling with their mental health, both in and outside the workplace. With the cost-of-living crisis now exacerbating the mental health emergency being felt across the nation, MHFA England is today launching its new Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course and vital wide-ranging support for MHFAiders® to empower them to support the mental health of the nation.

Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £56 billion a year. With most adults spending at least a third of their time at work, more organisations are waking up and implementing measures to improve mental health in the workplace at this crucial time – and all organisations should join them. 1 in 50 people in England have been trained by MHFA England to recognise mental ill health and signpost people to support – moving ever closer to its mission to train 1 in 10 of the working age population.

The pandemic shone a spotlight on the health disparities caused by racial and gender inequality and deepened an already vast equity gap, which the cost-of-living crisis is set to widen further. Responding to these issues and following insight from a range of people across the 20,000 organisations who have trained staff in MHFA, as well as feedback from MHFA England’s Instructor Member and MHFAider® community, the new course has been developed with inclusivity and accessibility at its heart.

MHFA England is the country’s only Licensed Provider of Mental Health First Aid training from MHFA International.[1] In this new course the social enterprise has strengthened its evidence base further. It has drawn on its 15 years of experience and learning, from training over half a million MHFAiders® to develop an offer that has an even greater focus on the skills required to be an exceptional MHFAider®.

The training now includes more in-depth consideration of the role of the MHFAider® and the importance of establishing and holding the critical boundaries. Inclusion and equity are at its heart, with new developments including inclusive language, a diverse range of case studies from a wide range of settings and a greater understanding of the factors that can lead to mental ill health.

For the first time ever, MHFAiders® supporting people’s mental health in workplaces and beyond will now have access to ongoing support via the MHFAider Support App®. This ground-breaking development means learners will join the country’s largest MHFAider® community, with opportunities for ongoing learning, resources for managing their own self-care, and 24/7 support.

The new Mental Health First Aid course is a key part of MHFA England’s vision to improve the mental health of the nation. In the workplace, MHFA training should be a key part of a wider mental health and wellbeing strategy that all employers must develop to support their people to thrive. The new MHFA course and the support it offers to MHFAiders® is one way employers can commit to delivering on workplace mental health and wellbeing as part of a whole system approach.

91% of people who undertake a Mental Health First England course say they found an increased understanding of mental health following their course – delivering a lasting difference in a learner’s knowledge and confidence to provide mental health support.

Simon Blake OBE, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England said: “No-one has been left untouched by the events of the past few years. The impact of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and huge changes to the way we live and work have created a perfect storm and many people are tired and worried at best, with significant numbers experiencing mental distress and illness. The cost-of-living crisis will only exacerbate this, particularly for those who have already been the hardest hit. Tackling these inequalities by building more inclusive workplaces should be a business priority for all.

“In organisations and beyond, MHFAiders® have played a crucial role in supporting people’s mental health through and post-pandemic and will continue to do so during the challenges people are now facing.

“We must ensure that MHFAiders® are confident and motivated so they can continue their invaluable work. That’s why we have increased the support that we give them. Our training isn’t just a course – it’s a community – and that’s what makes all the difference. The new support we’ve put in place will empower MHFAiders® to transform workplace wellness into the future and improve the mental health of the nation.”

https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/news/MHFA-England-launches-new-Mental-Health-First-Aid-course

[1] Based in Australia, MHFA International is a not-for-profit organisation that develops, delivers and evaluates accredited mental health training programmes. The Mental Health First Aid programme began in Australia in 2000, and has since evolved into a global movement that is delivered by an active community of licensed providers in 24 countries. To date, over 4 million people worldwide have been trained.