Andrew Protheroe MSc MSc CFIOSH FIIRSM FIoL CQP MCQI’s Post

We're taking time today to celebrate the employees who have graduated as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) over the past few weeks. Our most recent session took place in Madrid with a super-engaged group that was keen to recognise and help people with their mental health in the workplace. Similar to physical first aid, mental first aid training empowers your employees to become first responders in critical situations. It also enables them to recognise (sometimes subtle) signs and symptoms that signal someone may be struggling to cope. Participants become company champions in helping raise vital awareness of mental health in the workplace, alongside having the tools, knowledge and skills for signposting people to the right kind of support. Did you know? We work with MHFA England® and run their accredited Mental Health in First Aid training for businesses across the globe. Get in touch if this is something your business and employees would value as a forward-thinking initiative with people at its heart. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthfirstaid #healthandwellbeing #wellbeingstrategy #wellbeing #corporatehealth #corporatewellbeing #selfcare #employeewellbeing #wellnessatwork #linkedinwellness #wellness #employeeengagement #employeeexperience #employeewellness #corporatewellness #corporatewellnessprogram

Through our Mental Health First Aid initiative, we’ve trained 7 volunteers from our team to become workplace first aiders. Our aim is to give every member of our workforce access to immediate mental health support, raise awareness of and create opportunities to talk about mental health, encourage people to seek help from a trusted colleague, equip our team with the tools to recognise when someone might be struggling and know how to support them. Each of our first aiders has earned an accredited, internationally recognised Level 3 award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) with excellent training delivered by Red Umbrella. The engineering industry is still overwhelmingly populated by male employees – 90% of our own workforce are men – and research highlights that men are more reluctant or find it more difficult to talk about their mental health or access support. As an employer, it’s important for us to embed mental health awareness into our business, create safe places to talk and make it normal to check in on each other. We’ve also created more opportunities for our team to step away from their work and engage with colleagues over wellbeing lunches in our recently remodelled coffee lounge or as part of our social walking group. #MensMentalHealthMonth #mentalhealth #business #engineering

🤔ARE MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FIRST AIDERS DIFFERENT 🤔 But – what next?!! The Mental Health First Aider needs support in place for themselves, they need a hierarchy of support in their workplace as, 999/112 is only going to be useful where someone is in a life threatening crisis? I suspect we all know of organisations that ‘tick boxes’ to comply with requirements, it could be very easy for a company to ‘send’ volunteer/s to a Mental Health First Aid course but, do they; - have a practicable workplace wellbeing policy in place - have a safe workplace that proactively supports wellbeing - gain feedback on wellbeing and actively recommend and support reasonable adjustments where applicable - have accessible professional and trained mental health and wellbeing support in addition to the First Aiders - have supervision and support for the First Aiders - have a method for recording information that could be pertinent to the safety of the person needing support #TheLearn2Group #FirstAidTraining #Brandon #FirstAidCourse #MentalHealthFirstAid

JOIN THE WAITLIST NOW Have you seen my waitlist is open for 💚Mental Health First Aid Awareness💚 💚Mental Health First Aid Practitioner💚 DM me MHFA and I will send you the link or find it in the comments.... These are designed to empower organisations like to prioritise mental wellbeing in the workplace. Here’s how they can benefit you: - Be proactive with upcoming legislation - Likely to mandate mental health support in the workplace in the UK. - Reduce staff sick leave - With SSP changes, all absences may cost more from day one. - Enhance team culture - creating inclusivity and openness. - Boost productivity - Psychological safety leads to improved performance and customer satisfaction. - Reduce turnover costs - Support retention and save on recruitment expenses. Be one of the first to support people with this next generation of mental health initiatives. Let's Create Change! #mentalhealthfirstaid #mentalhealth #wellbeing #mhfa #traumainformed #mentalhealthandwellbeing #createchange #workforcewellbeing

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week, this week serves as a great time for employers to review the processes they have in place to protect employee wellbeing. ✅ You do have a reasonable amount of responsibility after all. 🤷 Take the first step, read our guide about the importance of mental health first aiders here: https://loom.ly/j4F36AU

https://lnkd.in/gDcZsrVF Having staff with MHFA training is a practical way of building psychological safety in the workplace - check out Sem's story below.

For over 70 years, the Samaritans have offered aid and support to those in need. On this day, Samaritans Awareness Day, we remember the outstanding work of all those volunteers who have, quite literally, saved lives all over the UK. Why today? The date is 24/7 - just like Samaritans helplines. The H&S Department would like to support the Samaritans Awareness Day by reminding all businesses we have a legal responsibility to take a role in this important work and consider the steps their businesses have taken to safeguard mental health in the workplace. Remember, employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work by doing a risk assessment and acting on it. This is the same duty they have to protect people from other health and safety risks. A few things you are required to do; • Complete a First Aid Needs Assessment, which now must include mental health as an aspect. • Identify sources of stress in the workplace, assess them and reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable. A few things you can consider: • Training your staff to recognise signs of stress in the workplace. • Provide a mental health first aider at work. • Provide occupational health or a mental health service as part of a workplace benefits offering. Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a First Aid Needs Assessment or Mental Health First Aid training, we’d be happy to discuss ways to help your business and look after your people. #SamaritansAwarenessDay #HealthAndSafety #SMEBusiness

Prioritising Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace- Mental health matters. In UK workplaces, it’s more than just a slogan—it’s a necessity. Did you know that 60% of UK employees experience anxiety, and 76% report moderate to high stress levels at work? Despite these staggering statistics, mental health often takes a back seat to physical first aid training in many companies. Investing in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is more than compliance—it’s a powerful statement. It shows your employees that their mental well-being is a priority, not an afterthought. Creating a well-being-focused culture helps reduce absenteeism, fosters trust, and boosts morale. So, let’s rethink the balance: Physical first aid teaches us to care for physical injuries. Mental health first aid equips us to support those facing emotional challenges, crises, or mental health conditions. Every workplace deserves a holistic approach to well-being. Let’s build teams that feel supported, seen, and valued—mentally and physically. If you’d like to introduce mental health first aid training to your company or want more information, message me. #MentalHealthMatters #WorkplaceWellbeing #MHFA #Leadership

🌟 Accredited Mental Health First Aid Training: Special Offer for Liverpool & Surrounding Areas 🌟 🚨 Limited-Time Discount: Our 2 day discounted course will run on January 18th & 19th 🚨 Are you looking to improve your mental health awareness, support your team, or make a lasting impact on your community? I'm excited to offer Accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training for individuals and businesses in Liverpool and surrounding areas – at a special discounted price for a limited time! 🧠 Why is this training crucial? For individuals: Develop the skills to spot signs of mental health struggles early, support colleagues, friends, and loved ones in crisis, and take action to guide them towards appropriate support. It’s empowering for YOU, both personally and professionally. For businesses: Equip your teams with the tools to create a mentally healthier workplace, reduce absenteeism, and improve productivity. This training shows employees that you truly care about their wellbeing, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. For the community: By becoming trained mental health first aiders, you’ll be helping create a network of support, making Liverpool and surrounding areas stronger, more resilient, and more caring for all. 📅 The Details: Dates: January 18th & 19th Location: Lark Lane Day Centre, Liverpool Accredited Certification upon completion (valid for 3 years) 💬 What will you gain? The skills to provide immediate support and sign post someone in the right direction who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. A deeper understanding of mental health issues affecting your colleagues, friends, and community. Tools to reduce stigma and create a positive, supportive culture in your workplace. ✨ Take advantage of this limited-time offer and invest in your future and the future of your community and workplace! Let’s work together to make mental health a priority in Liverpool and beyond. 📩 DM me for more details or to book your place now. Let’s make a difference, together. #MentalHealth #MHFA #Liverpool #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceWellbeing #CommunitySupport #BusinessGrowth #AccreditedTraining #Liverpoolmentalhealth #Liverpoolaccreditedtraining #Liverpoolmentalhealthtraining #larklane #liverpool #smallbusiness

The HSE amended their guidance for First Aid last year including an expectation that businesses include mental health in their First Aid assessment of needs. If you’re not looking at First Aid for mental health training, you’re probably not meeting that expectation. Why is it important, other than the fact that a healthy workforce is more productive?