Who Benefits From Mental Health First Aid Training?
March 23, 2021|Corporate Mental Health
Before enrolling in any course, it’s important to know if the course will be an ideal fit for you. What knowledge will you walk away with? And is the course specifically designed for participants with your unique concerns or greater educational goals?
As a certified Edmonton mental health trainer, I often receive inquiries from potential participants who want to know exactly who my sessions are tailored towards. And, more specifically, who benefits from Mental Health First Aid training— a course that teaches attendees how to support others who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
This course is advantageous for several different audiences. So, let’s take a closer look at who these audiences are and the positive impacts Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can have for each of them.
Who Benefits From Mental Health First Aid Training?
1. Corporations and Large Enterprises
Larger businesses face a unique set of challenges when it comes to the health and well-being of their teams and employees. Unlike small-to-mid-sized ventures, corporations must typically spend more time coordinating and planning mental health initiatives in the workplace.
Many large-scale businesses operate from multiple locations or job sites, for instance, so getting teams together in one space requires advanced scheduling. And even if management does manage to coordinate a training session, they require an experienced trainer who can command a large audience and deliver the material in a way that’s engaging.
Why MHFA Training is Ideal for Corporations and Large Enterprises:
- It can be delivered virtually or in-person (with adherence to COVID-19 health regulations)— whichever best suits your team.
- Corporations actually see a return on their investment in the long run, as reduced mental health stigma in the workplace contributes to increased employee satisfaction, less absenteeism, higher retention rates, and improved productivity.
- It is the perfect way to send a clear, consistent message to all team members that management views mental health as a priority. Since effective communication is more complicated for bigger companies, hosting a training session at a predetermined date can simplify the process and contribute to a more cohesive, unified working environment.
2. Non-Profits
Individuals who work at non-profit organizations also have distinct mental health hurdles they must overcome. One, in particular, is compassion fatigue. Many employees of charitable organizations deal with highly emotional situations on a regular basis. This constant exposure to stress and emotional tension often leads to a decline in mental health if not properly addressed.
It is also important to consider that a large portion of non-profit workers have irregular work schedules, lower annual salaries (in comparison to for-profit workers), and limited job-related resources.
Why MHFA Training is Ideal for Non-Profits:
- Workplace mental health applies to all workplaces. The MHFA training course does not focus solely on a specific type of business or organization. Instead, it speaks to individuals. Ultimately, professionals are professionals, whether they are working for a Fortune 500 company or a small local charity.
- It empowers all team members to confidently navigate mental health crisis situations. This is particularly important for non-profit organizations, since front-line workers are often trained in mental health first aid (to some capacity), while office staff and other employees may not have had the opportunity to learn these skills.
Whether you are an organization that works with people experiencing homelessness, those fleeing situations of intimate partner violence, or youth who are struggling with addiction— your entire team should be aware of MHFA best practices and capable of assisting someone who is struggling, should the circumstance arise. - Participants receive a certificate of completion upon finishing MHFA training— a bonus that would likely appeal to your team members. This certification is an excellent addition to any resume and to demonstrate a commitment to professional development to future employers.
3. Educational Institutions
MHFA training is highly recommended for teachers, coaches, school counselors, and anyone who works in an educational setting—whether the students are children or adults.
As human beings, we spend a great deal of our lives working on academic development, whether it’s elementary school, high school, post secondary, or continuing education, and there are many stressful situations we might encounter along the way.
Educators and other industry professionals should be able to recognize the signs of declining mental health so they can properly and effectively support students who may be struggling.
Why MHFA Training is Ideal for Educational Institutions:
- Grade schools can be a breeding ground for stigma. Many children are raised to believe common misconceptions about mental health or pick up stigmatizing behaviors or attitudes from their home environments. With MHFA training, educators can more readily identify these behaviors and attitudes, and effectively challenge them with facts and practical strategies for change.
- Academic confidence and engagement is essential for student success. When students are struggling with poor mental health, they are less likely to progress academically or achieve their greater goals. By learning how to recognize the signs of declining mental health, educators can intervene before a student’s performance is permanently affected.
- Happy, healthy teachers benefit everyone. They are more patient with their students, more engaged with the curriculum they are teaching, and more likely to go the extra mile within their roles. But there’s no denying that teaching can be a stressful job! MHFA training is an excellent opportunity for educators to not only learn how to support and advocate for students, but also for one another and even themselves, if necessary.
Are you interested in corporate mental health training? Are you looking for an engaging and experienced Edmonton mental health trainer? Get in touch today. I’d be happy to help you empower your team.