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Imagine a colleague sits quietly at their desk, staring at their screen.
They’ve missed deadlines, withdrawn from conversations, and seem “off.”
Everyone notices but no one knows what to do.
If this was a physical emergency, like a fainting episode, people would rush to help. The same would happen if it were a cut, or sudden chest pain or attack. But when the emergency is mental, many freeze.
This is why Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is no longer optional.
It has become one of the most important tools for building safer, healthier, and more supportive workplaces.
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is not therapy, nor is it about diagnosing mental illness or forcing conversations but rather, a training that equips employees with the skills to recognize signs of mental distress and provide initial, compassionate support, until professional help is accessed.
Think of it as CPR, but for emotional and psychological crises.
Why Mental Health First Aid Matters in Today’s Workplaces
1. Mental health issues are more common than most people realize
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy over $1 trillion each year in lost productivity, and an estimated 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health challenge at some point in their lives.
Stress-related disorders are now among the top causes of work absenteeism.
This means mental health crises are not rare, they are happening silently in offices, shops, factories, and remote working spaces every day.
MHFA helps organizations respond early and appropriately.
2. Early support prevents escalation
Studies show that early intervention can reduce the severity, duration, and impact of mental health issues.
Mental Health First Aiders are trained to notice behavioural changes, approach a colleague safely and respectfully, listen without judgment, offer reassurance, and guide the person to appropriate help.
Research published in The Lancet Psychiatry shows MHFA training improves confidence, reduces stigma, and increases the likelihood that distressed employees receive timely support.
3. MHFA improves workplace culture and trust
A mentally healthy workplace is not created by posters or policy documents, it’s created by people who feel safe, seen, and supported.
Organizations that implement MHFA often report more open conversations, reduced stigma around mental illness, better teamwork and empathy, higher job satisfaction, and lower burnout.
Employees feel valued when they know someone is trained to help them during difficult moments.
4. Mental health emergencies can be life-threatening
Just like physical emergencies, mental health crises require quick and appropriate action.
MHFA prepares employees to respond in situations such as severe panic attacks, suicidal thinking, self-harm behaviours, psychosis or extreme distress, and substance misuse crises.
A calm, trained colleague can save a life by offering immediate support and linking the person to professional care.
MHFA is about support, not solving everything.
A Safer Workplace Starts With Awareness
Mental health crises don’t announce themselves, wait for the right moment, or only happen outside office walls.
Training employees in Mental Health First Aid ensures that when someone is struggling, someone else knows how to respond.
In a world where stress is rising and emotional resilience is stretched thin, MHFA is not a luxury, it is an essential cornerstone of modern workplace wellbeing.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below—we would love to hear from you!
RD, LD Julius Sammah
MyHealthCop Certified Dietician
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