Many organisations are realising the value of mental health first aid training. This essential skill helps employees support colleagues facing mental health challenges.
Unlike traditional first aid, mental health first aid focuses on psychological issues. Let’s learn about the importance of mental health first aid courses for Perth organisations.
Why Mental Health Matters
- Nearly 43% of people aged 16–85 have experienced a mental health challenge at some point.
- 21.5% of people aged 16–85 had a mental disorder in the past year.
- Anxiety was the most common, affecting 17.2% of this group.
- 38.8% of people aged 16–24 experienced a mental disorder within the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
Mental health first aid helps create a supportive work environment. It empowers your employees to:
- Be attentive for early signs of mental health issues in colleagues
- Offer immediate support and understanding
- Guide affected individuals towards appropriate professional help
Early intervention can prevent minor issues, such as increased stress or mild anxiety, from escalating into major mental health problems like chronic depression or burnout, ensuring your team remains healthy and productive.
Excessive workloads, lack of support, and poor work-life balance contribute to workplace stress.
Boosting Productivity with a Mental Health First Aid Course
Mental health and productivity are closely linked. When employees are mentally healthy, they’re more engaged and productive.
Mental health first aid training contributes to this by:
- Creating a supportive work culture
- Reducing stigma around mental health issues
- Improving overall workplace wellbeing
Did you know? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), investing $1 in mental health treatment and support yields a $4 return through better health and increased productivity.
The Importance of Refresher Courses
Like any skill, mental health first aid requires regular practice and updating. Refresher courses are essential because they reinforce key concepts and skills that might have faded in between courses.
They also introduce new research and best practices that have emerged since the first course. Together, these benefits boost employees’ confidence in applying mental health first aid.
What Does a Mental Health First Aid Refresher Look Like?
Mental health first aid learning involves:
- Recognising the signs of mental health issues
- Providing initial support
- Guiding individuals towards professional help
Long-term Benefits
Investing in ongoing mental health first aid training brings lasting benefits for both employees and organisations.
Benefits for Employees
✅ Improve mental health literacy, making it easier to understand and support those in need.
✅ Feel more equipped to help colleagues, strengthening workplace relationships.
✅ Experience increased job satisfaction and deeper engagement in your role.
Benefits for Organisations
✅ Reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, leading to a more productive workplace.
✅ Build stronger team cohesion and boost overall morale.
✅ Enhance your reputation as an employer, attracting and retaining top talent.
Did you know? According to the National Mental Health Commission, Australian employees facing job-related stress and mental illness are absent from work for nearly 11 weeks each year.
Learn more: Tailoring Wellness Programs for Diverse Workforces
The Impact of Regular Training on Workplace Culture
Regular mental health first aid training can transform workplace culture. It fosters open communication about mental health, reducing the stigma around issues everyone experiences.
Talking about mental health builds empathy among colleagues, creating a culture shift where people look out for each other and take a proactive approach to mental health management.
This has been shown to contribute to employee retention, recruitment and improved productivity—all of which benefit organisations and the people who work there.
Mental Health First Aid Training
ATI-Mirage, in collaboration with Lifeline WA, offers this training
✅ Flexible options: Choose our mental health first aid course at our Perth training centre or at your workplace.
✅ Engaging learning: Our courses are interactive, practical, and delivered in small groups for maximum impact.
✅ Resources included: You’ll get a take-home workbook and a Certificate of Attendance.
Measuring the Success of Mental Health First Aid Programs
To ensure your MHFA program makes a difference, measure its impact using key metrics like these:
- Regular employee well-being surveys to gauge how the training is affecting your team.
- Monitoring reasons for absenteeism and productivity rates to identify any positive trends.
- Collecting feedback on training effectiveness to improve your mental health initiatives continuously.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Mental Health First Aid
Implementing MHFA programs can be challenging, but ATI-Mirage is here to help you navigate and overcome these obstacles:
- Addressing bias, stereotypes, and prejudice by fostering open, honest conversations about mental health.
- Offering time-efficient training options.
- Providing flexible solutions that align with your budget while still delivering high-quality training.
Find out more: ATI-Mirage Wellness.
The Role of Leadership in Mental Health First Aid
Leaders are at the centre of MHFA’s success. At ATI-Mirage, we emphasise the importance of leadership involvement:
- Active participation in training to demonstrate commitment to mental health.
- Encouraging open discussions about mental health to create a safe space for all employees.
- Modelling supportive behaviours that set the tone for the entire organisation.
When leaders prioritise mental health, it sends a powerful message: mental well-being matters.
Investing in Mental Health for a Productive Future
Transform your workplace with regular mental health first aid training. This isn’t just about skills; it’s about caring for your team, and showing them they matter. When employees feel supported, they thrive—boosting productivity, reducing stress, and creating a happier, healthier environment.
Enrol in our Mental Health First Aid course today. Reach out to ATI-Mirage and start building the supportive, thriving workplace your team needs.
