Five Benefits of Mental Health First Aid Training
“I think we need MHFA in hospitality workplaces because we just don’t have it. I can’t see any bad thing coming from having more awareness and breaking down the stigma. I can only see positivity and growth”
Did you know that 97% of employees feel their mental health has been negatively affected by COVID-19? Long hours, uncertainty about getting regular hours amid fear of the spread, not to mention employees wanting to keep themselves and their families safe. Right now we need to work together more than ever to ensure hospitality employees feel supported during this difficult time.
If you’re thinking about completing a mental health first aid training course, you may be wondering what the benefits are to you and others. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the five main benefits of mental health first aid training which you can read below.
Spot early warning signs
Being able to recognise the early warning signs of an employee potentially suffering from mental health problems can really change the outcome of a situation. By scheduling regular check-ins to find out how your employees are doing, you can stay aware. It can be something as simple as the employee struggling with their work-life balance, that you can quickly remedy by adjusting their work rota. Sometimes all they need is someone impartial to talk to, someone they know is listening, to improve their outlook on a situation.
Reassure employees
According to a MIND survey, only around half of people who struggle with mental health issues speak to their managers about it. The way you react to a situation with an employee, both verbally and non-verbally, shows them how confident you are at dealing with the problem. A mental health first aid training course will give you the skills you need to handle a situation confidently.
Reduce stigma in the workplace
Although conversations around mental health have increased in recent years, there is still a stigma underlying this topic, especially within the hospitality sector. Having someone prominent that employees know they can talk to, and who encourages open conversation, will help change the way mental health is perceived. Our training courses will give you the tools to help you to begin the dialogue.
Ensure a healthy workforce
Around one-quarter of hospitality staff have reported seeking psychological support or medication, according to RSPH. Mental health first aid training helps you to work with your employees to ensure they have a healthy mindset and can prevent them from developing a mental health problem. A healthy workforce means fewer absences, improved employee retention, and can boost morale as they feel supported and listened to.
Help prevent someone from hurting themselves
The last thing you want is one of your employees feeling like their only option is to hurt themselves. Becoming a mental health first aider will help you become extremely alert to suicidal warnings, which could help you save a life. Sometimes employees’ problems may be outside the workplace, but you can still provide support and resources that can help.
“Without Kelly’s Cause and the MHFA training course, I don’t think I would have coped nearly as well as I have done in situations that have arisen following the course”
What Mental Health First Aid Training courses are available?
We offer three different courses focused on mental health and wellbeing in the hospitality sector. We highly recommend at least one person in your management team going on one of our mental health first aid training courses. Investing in employees’ health and wellbeing is one of the biggest challenges facing companies today, particularly the hospitality sector.
