In today’s fast-paced work environment, mental health has become a critical issue for workplaces across the UK. With 91% of UK adults reporting high or extreme levels of stress in the past year, and nearly half of all work-related ill health cases being attributed to stress, depression, or anxiety, it’s clear that businesses need to take proactive steps to support their employees’ mental wellbeing.
The Cost of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace
The impact of poor mental health on businesses is staggering. A 2024 Deloitte report estimates that UK employers lose £51 billion annually due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and staff turnover. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a wake-up call for companies to prioritise mental health support.
The Benefits of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training
Investing in Mental Health First Aid training can yield significant benefits for your business:
- Early Intervention: Trained employees can spot the early signs of mental health issues, allowing for timely support and preventing problems from escalating.
- Reduced Absenteeism: MHFA training has been linked to a 25% reduction in work-related sickness absence, according to RAND Europe.
- Improved Productivity: For every £1 spent on staff wellbeing, businesses see an average return of £5.30 in reduced absence, presenteeism, and turnover, as reported by Deloitte.
- Enhanced Workplace Culture: MHFA training fosters a supportive work environment by promoting understanding and reducing stigma around mental health.
- Legal Compliance: While not mandatory, MHFA training helps businesses meet their duty of care obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The savings from reduced absenteeism and improved productivity often far exceed the initial training investment.
A Smart Investment with Significant Returns
The cost of implementing MHFA training—around £3,500—pales in comparison to the potential savings.
Consider this: the average cost of mental ill-health per employee is £1,300 per year. For a company with 200 employees, that’s a potential £260,000 annual loss.
By training just 5% of your workforce in MHFA, you could significantly reduce these costs, with even a 10% reduction saving your company £26,000 annually.
Why Choose The Thrive Team?
At The Thrive Team, we’ve been offering MHFA England’s Mental Health First Aid Training for over 7 years. Our experienced instructors are passionate about raising awareness and de-stigmatising mental health in the workplace. We’ve trained thousands of individuals across various sectors, helping businesses create healthier, more productive workplaces.
Here’s what one of our recent delegates had to say:
This was an excellent course in so many ways and I feel I’ve learnt so much. The trainer was excellent, the course structure really good and the participants’ experiences and input so valuable. The ALGEE model is one which will definitely stick – an outcome that doesn’t always happen with training in my experience. It’s so clear and helpful, and the way in which we discussed and practised the model throughout the 2 days really helped to bed it down. Lots of case studies were really helpful too.
Mental Health First Aid Delegate
Are you ready to create a healthier, more productive workplace? For an informal chat about how The Thrive Team can support your business, call us on 01243 957667 or email [email protected].
