‘Stress, depression or anxiety continues to be the leading cause of people taking time off work, accounting for half of all cases of self-reported work-related ill health in 2022.’ Dean Russell, MP for Watford.
Mental health issues have long been around but used to be shrouded in stigma. Initially people were looked after by family or left destitute on the streets, begging for food and shelter. In the mid-17th century private asylums began to emerge. Conditions were not great and abuse was widespread.
In 1774 the Madhouse Act was introduced, it’s purpose to regulate “insane asylums” also known as “madhouses”. Over the years the title was amended until in 1959 when it became known as the Mental Health Act. The act aimed to deinstitutionalise mental health patients’ care by abolishing the distinction between psychiatric hospitals and other types of hospitals.
The Mental Health Act 1983 was passed as law to ensure the rights and protections of individuals with mental health problems in England and Wales. In 2017 Theresa May, whilst Prime Minister, initiated a review to bring the law in line with modern Mental Health care. This led to many changes to the Act.
One such change that can affect your business is an update to L74 First Aid provision. The Health and Safety Executive, commonly know as HSE, now expect employers to consider Mental Health factors when conducting risk assessments to determine First Aid provision.
“You should consider ways to manage mental ill health in your workplace which are appropriate for your business, such as providing information or training for managers and employees, employing occupational health professionals, appointing mental health trained first aiders and implementing employee support programmes.” HSE.
The benefits of the changes in First Aid provision could see:
Lower rates and risk of work-related ill mental health.
Increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
Reduce costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism whilst increasing productivity
Establish a positive, open mental health culture within your workplace
At London Fire Consultants we can give training to your staff to enable them to obtain a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health (RQF)/Award in First Aid for Mental Health at SCQF Level 5. This course runs over 6 hours spread over 1 day and is suitable for everyone but has been designed to help employers to provide a positive mental health culture within the workplace and to provide learners with comprehensive knowledge on a range of the most common mental health conditions and the skills to be able to act should a condition be suspected.
A range of subjects are covered including:
What is First Aid for Mental Health?
Identifying mental health conditions
Providing advice and starting a conversation
Drugs and alcohol
First Aid for Mental Health action plan
First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace