Mental health training for managers

Poor mental health at work is one of the leading causes of workplace absence in the UK. According to a major government review, mental health issues cost the UK economy £85 billion each year. This figure includes sick pay, lost output and reduced productivity cited as the biggest drains and highest costs.

It’s vitally important that organisational leadership teams know how to spot the signs of poor mental health before they escalate. Providing mental health training for managers is just one way of doing this.

Similar to physical first aid, it does not qualify someone to diagnose conditions or provide therapy; instead, it trains individuals to identify early indicators, respond effectively in moments of distress and reduce the stigma that often prevents people from seeking help. For leadership teams, this training provides essential skills for supporting workforce wellbeing by handling sensitive conversations and fostering a psychologically safe working environment that encourages openness rather than silence.

What is workplace mental health training?

While having measures and key wellbeing policy in place is essential to support workforce wellbeing is essential, it is also essential that managers and leadership teams have the knowledge to implement effective and proactive support. Mental health training enables managers and leadership teams to maximise the efficiency of any wellbeing support such as counselling by helping them to build a wellness action plan.

Dedicated courses provide managers and leadership teams the knowledge and skills to spot and support mental health issues to build towards success while simultaneously ensuring the core standards for a healthy workplace environment are met.

Why do managers need mental health training?

Effective training is not only necessary for supporting individuals and building a more productive workforce, it is key to ensuring legal compliance. Workplace mental health is protected under two key pieces of UK legislation, namely:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:

Organisations have a legal of duty of care to protect their people from risks, this includes stress.

• The Equality Act 2010:

Long-term mental health conditions (this includes anxiety, depression etc.) that last over 12 months and impacts a person’s ability to perform ‘day-to-day activities’ is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

Ensuring leadership teams and managers have the skillset to ensure compliance protects an organisation from breaches, limits operational costs all while supporting workforces to perform to their highest level.

What are the benefits of mental health training for managers?

In a large study conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it was found that there was a 22% decrease in recorded sick days after individuals partook in a mental health training programme to address common mental health challenges. It clearly demonstrated a link between mental health training and reduced absence rates.

There are many tangible benefits to providing good mental health training for line managers:

• They develop a more developed understanding of declining mental health and the effects that it has on workforces and organisational success.

• They learn how to confidently and compassionately address and aid poor mental health in the workplace, becoming a good point of first contact for people suffering, providing proactive intervention before absences occur.

• They become much more aware of how their own reactions and responses impact workforce mental health.

• They learn how to better organise workflow to support those who may be struggling with a mental health issue and relieve stress.

• They are better equipped to deal with the legal compliance in the face of mental health issues/disability.

• It helps managers to support themselves in times of need. Leadership teams are often under pressure, and the training can help them improve their self-awareness and coping strategies to manage their own stress, preventing top-down issues of reduced productivity or disengagement.

• It helps leadership teams to support their people, which in return improves overall performance. When people work in an environment where they feel mentally and emotionally safe, they feel more productive and engaged.

• Mental health training for leadership teams can ultimately boost productivity through proactive support, improved workforce resilience and thus reduces operational costs by reducing absences and increasing workforce output.

Related article: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): Why UK Employers Need Trained MHFAiders

What is included with mental health training for managers?

Different providers have different methods of training, and no two courses are the same. But the best courses all have a common thread, and usually cover the same ground, including:

• An overview of the most common mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression and their impact on people in the workforce and workplace performance.

• Telltale signs of declining mental health to look out for in order to spot and possibly identify common conditions.

• Understanding the impact of mental health stigma and appropriate, sensitive ways to manage and overcome said stigma.

• Boosting emotional intelligence and resilience among co-workers.

• Understanding of the Equality Act 2010, how it relates to mental health conditions and remaining legally compliant.

• How to develop a supportive and open workplace environment where people feel comfortable and able to discuss mental health issues as well as ways they can form workforce support networks to improve wellbeing.

How to set boundaries when supporting someone’s mental wellbeing, informing leadership teams on actions such as listening and signposting appropriate support, and what to avoid, such as diagnose or counsel staff members.

These practical skills are invaluable, as they enable leadership teams can spot and address issues much sooner before, ensuring intervention before an issue worsens.

How long is mental health training for managers?

This can depend on the provider. Sessions last from a half-day but can cover a two-day period if necessary.

MHFA England, for instance, offers shorter ‘taster’ courses as well as full two-day courses which qualify attendees as a mental health first aider, something every organisation should have in place to support declining mental health. MHFA England also offers refresher courses, to keep knowledge current, as well as renew one’s MHFA certificate.

Related article: The Importance of Mental Health First Aid

How HA | Wisdom Wellbeing can help with Mental Health First Aid Training

HA | Wisdom Wellbeing provides mental health training (by MHFA England) to individuals, management and leadership teams, providing each with the confidence and capability to support their people effectively. Through expertly delivered training, managers learn how to intervene early, communicate with compassion and are better equipped to cultivate a workplace culture where wellbeing is embedded rather than afterthought. The two-day training course is designed to be practical, engaging and aligned with organisational needs, offering everything from foundational mental health awareness to advanced first aid certification.

Our MHFA course options are also flexible:

Online training: If there is no MHFA course available in your area, HA | Wisdom Wellbeing offers an online mental health first aid course that up to 16 of your people can participate in. All your workforce needs to partake in this two-day course is a laptop or computer with video capability and a strong internet connection.

In-person training If you feel your workforce would benefit from in-person training, and there is an MHFA course near you, official courses can be booked over two-day slots. This can be for up to 16 individuals and up to four key organisation members (i.e. HR professionals).

Contact us to discover how we can facilitate MHFA training for your organisation.