Do I have to provide mental health training for my staff?

Mental health is becoming an increasingly important issue in the workplace. In fact, a recent study by the Mental Health Foundation found that one in six employees experience mental health problems. This can have a significant impact on productivity, absenteeism, and staff turnover.

As an employer, you have a legal duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of your employees. This includes their mental health. There is no specific legal requirement for employers to provide mental health training, but there are a number of reasons why we think it is a good idea.

Mental health training can help your staff to:

• Understand what mental health is and how it can affect people

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression

• Develop coping strategies for dealing with stress and other mental health challenges

• Know where to go for help if they are experiencing mental health problems

• Create a more supportive and understanding workplace culture

Mental Health Training can help your organisation:

• Foster a culture of wellbeing: Demonstrating a commitment to employee mental health creates a more positive and supportive work environment where individuals feel valued and cared for.

• Contribute to lower staff absence: By equipping staff with coping mechanisms and promoting early intervention, mental health training can help reduce stress-related absences and presenteeism.

• Lead to increased creativity and happiness: Employees who feel mentally well are more likely to be engaged, innovative, and experience greater job satisfaction, boosting overall morale and creativity.

• Lower staff turnover: A workplace that prioritises mental health and provides support is more likely to retain its talent, reducing the costs and disruption associated with recruitment and training new staff.

• Improve productivity and performance: When employees are mentally healthy, they are better able to focus, concentrate, and perform their duties effectively, leading to increased overall productivity.

• Enhance your organisation's reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to employee wellbeing can enhance your company's image, making you a more attractive employer to potential candidates.

• Support legal compliance and reduce risk: While not a direct legal requirement for training, proactive mental health support can contribute to fulfilling your broader duty of care and mitigating potential legal risks associated with workplace stress and discrimination.

Mental health training can cover a range of topics, including:

• What mental health is and how it can affect people

• The different types of mental health problems

• The signs and symptoms of common mental health problems

• How to support someone who is experiencing mental health problems

• Where to go for help

How can Oodles Training help?

Oodles Training offers a range of mental health training courses for employers. Our courses are designed to help you to:

• Understand your legal obligations regarding mental health

• Develop a mental health policy for your organisation

• Train your managers and staff on mental health awareness

• Create a more supportive and understanding workplace culture

If you are interested in finding out more about our mental health training courses, please contact us today at hello@OodlesTraining.com