Mental Health Awareness Training Courses

Improve Productivity with Mental Health Awareness Training Courses

3 of 4 people experiencing a mental health illness receive no treatment. The personal losses from mental ill-health are incalculable. Deloitte estimates the cost to businesses to be over £45 billion each year. Discover how a Mental Health Awareness Training Course from Talkout can improve outcomes for your colleagues and productivity for your organisation.

Top Five Benefits of Increased Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

There are many good reasons to take a mental health awareness course. Your own mental health will improve as you learn about self-care and spotting early warning signs. You’ll gain confidence in your ability to manage mental health issues presented by others in your workplace. Here are 5 more benefits of increased mental health in the workplace:

1. People experiencing a mental health issue get the help they need

It is well known that mental health issues are on the rise, yet many employers don’t see mental health as a priority. Compare this to eyesight - most employers consider going to see an optician and wearing glasses or contact lens as a necessity to ensure their staff can see clearly and do their jobs. Yet Mental Health is not perceived in the same way. Imagine if 70% of your workforce suddenly realised, they couldn’t see! They would be unable to work and the employer would be haemorrhaging money. Looking after Mental Health should be considered as essential as going to the opticians. Increasing the awareness of Mental Health and the importance it plays in our everyday lives is a key aim of a Mental Health Awareness training course. After training is completed delegates have a much clearer understanding of the signs and symptoms of Mental Ill Health enabling them to not only look after their own wellbeing but help others and signpost them towards a professional to get help if needed. Taking a proactive approach to Mental Health training kind is showing a positive return on investment. The latest figures from the Deloitte report show an average of £5 returned for every £1 invested in Mental Health Training.

2. Mental health training creates an atmosphere of openness in the workplace.

Talking about mental health disorders opens people to the possibility of getting help. They become more likely to contact someone for aid or seek out support services. This means they feel better and contribute more at work.

3. Practical strategies for managing mental health problems are implemented.

When someone goes off work for mental ill-health, they take an average of 22 days off. After mental health awareness courses, your organisation will be able to offer help and support to try and reduce long-term absence from work.

4. Incidences of sick leave because of poor mental health will decline.

One massive benefit is the reduction in mental health sick leave. As people get help, feel healthy, and enjoy their wellbeing, they come to work more. Healthy staff members contribute more to the success of your organisation.

5. Money invested in mental health awareness training reduces financial losses

Mental health costs businesses billions of pounds each year due to lower productivity, sick leave, and higher turnover. Staff members need support and Mental health courses help to significantly lower these costs by empowering employees to support their peers through Line Manager and Mental Health First Aid and general understanding improved across the organisation by putting every employee through Mental Health Awareness Training Courses.

What Is Mental Health Awareness Training?

Mental Health Awareness Training builds awareness of mental health problems, especially stress, anxiety, and depression. The training course gives line managers and others the skills and confidence to recognise the common mental health issues. An open, supportive workplace boosts wellbeing and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health.

Key Objectives of the Course Content

The first key objective of mental health training is to raise awareness of mental health problems. The fact that 70-75% of people receive no help for their illness is upsetting. This course will help everyone feel more comfortable seeking and offering help.

Promoting conversation is the next key aim of the awareness course. People need additional support when they’re experiencing a mental health issue. This course will help get the conversation started so everyone can get the extra help they need.

Knowing about mental health issues is good, but helping others into recovery and listening to others open up is better. The course will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding to raise awareness about mental health across an organisation. It will encourage learners to help contribute towards a positive culture where people feel like they can bring their whole-self to work.

Mental Health Awareness Courses Reduce the Stigma Surrounding Illness

People find it difficult to talk about mental health because of the stigma surrounding mental ill health. Many people see mental health issues as signs of personal weakness. Other people can trivialise the difficulties of mental ill health by saying things like “Oh, you just worry too much.” or “Just cheer up.” These simplistic responses to genuine anxiety or depression can prevent people from getting the help they need.

Common Mental Health Issues Covered in the Course

Covering every common mental health issue would be almost impossible in a short course. Instead, we focus on the issues that present themselves in the workplace most often. These are depression, anxiety, and stress. Other conditions, such as psychosis, eating disorders, and self-harm, are a little more complex but still covered in the course.

Stress is the most common factor in mental health issues developing in the workplace. Stress and pressure are different. When someone feels stressed, they can feel overwhelmed by the demands placed on them. Escape becomes the goal. Pressure can be more positive because the goal is to produce an excellent result. Learning how to discuss objectives and manage stress will affect your entire team positively.

Anxiety is the second most common form of mental illness in the workplace. Anxiety isn’t just feeling a bit worried or “being a worry-er.” Anxiety affects our performance and we feel it in our bodies. Worry tends to be short-lived and just in our heads. A mental health course raises awareness of these crucial differences so employees can receive access to the support they need to return to a high level of wellbeing.

Who is Mental Health Awareness Training for?

Let’s be clear: you will not need prior knowledge or training in mental health for this training course. All the knowledge, skills, and information you need will be presented during the course. Employees, managers, and volunteers will all benefit from mental health conversations.

Continuing Professional Development: Mental Health Awareness Training

Talkout’s mental health awareness courses are developed to fit into your continuing professional development (CPD). We use a CPD certification service, so everyone receives a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

Our courses are delivered by our expert guides who have lived experience of mental ill-health and use modern training materials and methods. Employees will enjoy courses with live instructors who are available online for fully interactive sessions.

Ready to Book a Mental Health Awareness Training Course?

To get access to the support, skills, and services you need, just book a course. Our courses are designed to be easy to access and full of value. Your entire team will enjoy the course and you’ll begin to see evidence of this positive investment when people receive support for their mental health concerns.

Here’s a quick recap of what our course covers in the single half-day session:

• Awareness and understanding of mental health
• Explore the impact of mental health at work
• Learn more about mental health conditions
• Recognise what can cause mental health issues developing
• Learn how to promote positive mental health awareness in the workplace
• Explore the benefits and importance of self-care

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