The importance of Mental Health First Aid in the workplace...

Imagine this: a colleague of yours gets into work one morning and they're visibly distressed. Turns out they’ve been struggling with anxiety for weeks, but nobody has noticed. Or maybe nobody felt comfortable enough to speak up and ask them about it. Because the situation has dragged on for a while though, they’re now on the verge of burnout. If this colleague had broken their arm instead, someone would know exactly what to do. But what about their mental health?

This is where Mental Health First Aid comes in.

Why Mental Health First Aid matters

Stress, depression, and anxiety accounted for 16.4 million lost working days in 2023/24 according to the annual statistics released by the HSE. Because of this it’s more important now than ever before for workplaces to recognise that mental wellbeing is actually a priority. Physical first aid training is there to make sure employees get immediate care when they're injured. In the same way, Mental Health First aid provides vital support to people who are struggling with emotional and psychological challenges.

“Workplaces that do not upgrade their approach to first aid to incorporate mental health first aid, and a focus on mental wellbeing, are in significant danger of failing to provide holistic care for their employees.”

That's the warning from Lisa Sharman, head of education and commercial training at St John Ambulance.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health first aid isn’t about replacing professional help. It’s actually about making sure people are equipped with the skills to recognise the signs of distress, offer a bit of initial support, and direct people to the resources that can help them. It’s the difference between someone struggling on in silence and them receiving the help they need before they reach crisis point.

Think back to a time when you felt overwhelmed at work. Did someone take it upon themselves to check in on you? A simple “Are you okay?” can make a world of difference. But with the right training, colleagues can actually go beyond that. It all starts with knowing how to listen without judgement and provide meaningful support that can actually help.

The future of workplace wellbeing

The days of viewing mental health as a “nice-to-have” workplace benefit are long gone now. As Sharman puts it, “First aid - both physical and mental - is a core component of employee wellbeing - and in 2025, it demands a more sophisticated approach from businesses.”

By making sure Mental Health First Aid is embedded into a workplace's culture, businesses create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and understood. This is not just good ethics, or just for show - it’s actually good business. Healthier employees mean a healthier, more productive workplace!

Mental health first aid isn’t just important - it’s essential. If your workplace hasn’t embraced it yet, now is the time to start. Get in touch with Ardent Safety today to find out more about our Mental Health First Aid training and book your course today.