3 benefits of mental health first aiders in the workplace
Mental health remains a significant challenge for employers; the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 22.1 million working days were lost in Great Britain due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25.
Separate research from Vitality has found that poor mental health can impact workplace performance; almost two-thirds of workers felt that poor mental health has affected their productivity, focus and output at work.
Meanwhile, Vitality’s 10 Years of Britain's Healthiest Workplace: the Changing Face of the UK at Work report found that lost productivity due to ill-health was estimated to have cost the UK economy £860 billion between 2014 and 2023.
The same research found that employees at risk of depression lose, on average, 151% more productive time compared to employees not at risk.
As organisations look to bolster their wellbeing strategies, some employers are now investing in mental health first aiders to complement traditional support such as employee assistance programmes (EAP) and access to mental health services through workplace private medical insurance (PMI) schemes.
As employers consider their approach to mental health support at work, mental health first aiders are being viewed by some as a practical way to strengthen workplace wellbeing strategies.
1. Helping to spot the signs early
"Mental health first aid teaches people to recognise the signs of poor mental health and sensitively approach individuals to provide support," said Yetunde Bankole, head of mental health and wellbeing at Vitality and an MHFA England instructor.
By having trained individuals within the organisation, employers can create more opportunities to identify when someone may be struggling and encourage them to access appropriate support sooner.
While mental health first aiders are not therapists, and don’t replace professional mental health services, they can help to spot the signs early and signpost others towards professional help.
"Spotting the signs early can prevent poor mental health from worsening. Without proper interventions, declining mental health can affect daily life, relationships and work performance, creating a knock-on effect for businesses," Bankole added.
2. Creating a culture where people can speak up
While awareness of mental health is growing, many employees still find it difficult to discuss their wellbeing at work.
This rings true with recent Vitality polling which found that just 5% of Brits feel comfortable speaking to their line manager about their mental health.
Whether it’s concerns about stigma or being perceived differently, there are several factors that may discourage people from speaking up.
“With rising levels of burnout and long-term mental health leave, many people are reaching breaking point while trying to cope silently,” explained Alana Grant, senior service consultant at Vitality and a trained mental health first aider.
“Not everyone has someone they feel comfortable talking to, and that’s where mental health first aiders are so important.”
3. Supporting a broader wellbeing strategy
Mental health first aiders may form part of a broader workplace wellbeing strategy, sitting alongside traditional support such as access to mental health services through workplace PMI schemes and EAPs.
While they do not replace professional mental health services, mental health first aiders can play an important role in helping to spot the signs of poor mental health and signpost colleagues to support.
As part of this, it’s crucial for employers to provide a range of initiatives that support employees with their mental health needs.
As Bankole sees it, having mental health first aiders in the workplace demonstrates an organisation’s commitment and “shows that a company understands the existing barriers to mental health at work”.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Vitality
At Vitality, we take a unique approach to insurance. As well as providing high-quality comprehensive cover, we provide a complete wellness package that can help boost employee engagement and productivity.
