Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace: Navigating the Options

Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is, importantly, in the spotlight at the moment.  We spend a third of our waking lives at work and therefore creating a workspace that enables people to thrive and perform at their best is essential.  For those that may be struggling, it also represents a significant opportunity to recognise poor mental health and influence help-seeking behaviours and timely access to support. 

With 22.1 million working days lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25, there is a growing need for proactive action at all levels; supporting individuals, teams and organisations.  It is clear that so many organisations want to support their employees and teams to thrive in and out of work through the promotion of mentally healthy and supportive workplaces.   Given the current national attention on mental health, although representing a significant and important step forward, it can feel difficult to navigate the multitude of options available. 

How do we find resources to support our teams? 

How do we know which resources/services/options best suit our organisation?

Resources are finite and the need seems infinite - where do we start? 

How do we best use the resources and funding we have for greatest impact? 

How do we know if what we are doing is having a positive impact?

At Haswell Training, all of our mental health and wellbeing services are delivered by regulated healthcare professionals so you can be sure that the advice and guidance you receive is evidence-based, reliable, safe and effective.  We help you to navigate and create a bespoke plan that works for you and your team/s.

Let’s unpick that a little now….

As a Qualsafe registered centre, we offer level 1-3 Mental Health in the Workplace courses (all of which are Ofqual regulated).  These are summarised below to offer an insight into how these might be helpful to your organisation. 

Level 1 – think of this as your awareness raising course.  A half day course recommended for all team members providing a foundation level awareness and literacy around mental health. 

This helps to level the playing field and can be significant in building human connections amongst group members.  Course content covers:

·         Understanding mental health and its importance

·         Know a range of common mental health conditions including:

o   Signs of stress and helpful and unhelpful methods of managing stress

o   Signs and symptoms of depression

o   Suicide

o   Understanding the need for self care and mindfulness

Level 2 – taking that next step to develop insight into common mental health challenges.  A one-day course designed those who are asking – what next?  Wanting to explore the topic in a little more depth, know how to signpost people to support but without the responsibility of taking on the role of mental health first aider.  Course content covers:

• Understanding mental health and its importance

• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of those associated with mental health in the workplace

• Legislation associated with mental health in the workplace

• Promoting positive mental health in the workplace

• Common mental health conditions, including:

• Work-related stress, Anxiety, Eating disorders, Depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD), Phobias, Bipolar, Psychosis and Suicide.

• Identifying key features within a mental health first aid at work action plan and listening techniques.

Level 3 – for those wanting to develop their skills and gain a formal qualification as Mental Health First Aider in the Workplace.  A two-day course for those interested in becoming a mental health first aider.  The key here is interest – just like the physical first aid role, not all team members we will feel that the role of mental health first aider is for them.  From experience, organisations benefit from having people from a wide range of roles undertake this important course.  The tendency can be to ask those in leadership positions to complete the course, however this can narrow your opportunity to support authentically if employees in other roles do not have the same opportunity.  There can be a variety of reasons why people may struggle to speak openly to those in leadership roles if they are struggling with their mental health – for example, fear of losing their job. 

Course content includes:

• Understanding mental health and its importance

• The roles and responsibilities for mental health in the workplace

• Importance of own wellbeing as a mental health first aider

• Common mental health conditions

• Promoting positive mental health first aid in the workplace

• Best practice for employers:

• Mental health first aid at work action plan

• Appropriate coping strategies How employers can provide support to employees in the workplace

• Assisting those off work or returning to work

Procedures to support employees who are off work whilst experiencing poor mental health

• Types of support available both locally and nationally.

Authentic support in the workplace should be bespoke to the needs of your team.  Having well-placed mental health first aiders and signposting to a support line is an excellent start but should not be seen as a tick box exercise.   These are the foundations from which to build.  At Haswell Training we work with organisations to build unique packages that meaningfully support workplace wellbeing.  This can include:

• Toolbox talks/Workplace briefings – short, focused and interactive sessions – designed to remind people of the importance of mental health and encourage discussion and connection.  These are often tailored around topics pertinent to the workforce – for example, suicide awareness, gambling, drugs and alcohol, managing stress, etc.

• Well-being drop-in’s – onsite support from a registered mental health professional.  A safe and confidential option for support external to the organisation. 

• Team well-being sessions – tailored workshops focused on practical, helpful tools and techniques to improve workplace wellbeing. 

• Consultancy - holistic assessment and mapping of organisations to determine realistic and feasible action plans in relation to workplace well-being. 

If you are passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your workforce but are not sure where to start, please get in touch for a free exploratory conversation.

Charmaine Chandler

Head of Well-Being, Haswell Training

Registered Occupational Therapist (HCPC: OT61743)