The importance of mental health first aid

As awareness of mental health increases, as does recognition of the number of people – family members, friends and colleagues – who may be suffering from mental health illnesses.

Statistics reveal the scale of the problem: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in England each year, whilst 1 in 6 people may experience a common mental health problem (such as anxiety or depression) each week in England. 

Awareness of mental health is not confined to the UK; throughout the world efforts have been made to answer calls for more support for those suffering, but also learn more about the causes of mental health problems. 

Scientific, peer-reviewed research conducted around the world on construction workers has revealed trends which suggest individuals in the industry are at a greater risk. Internationally, construction workers have been found to suffer higher suicide rates compared to workers in other industries. 

Despite this, construction workers are less likely to seek professional help. This trend is particularly prevalent amongst young men in the construction industry who have traditionally presented themselves as robust and resilient human beings, which is the opposite to research findings undertaken on this group and their associated mental health statistics. Due to the obvious overlap of roles between the construction and landscape industry, research findings are of relevance to Association members.

The high level of mental health issues and lack of treatment in the construction industry is concerning, and something the landscape industry should be mindful of. Increased coverage of the topic has removed the stigma of discussing mental health issues with friends, family members and colleagues, and the provision of dedicated services ensures those who need help are more likely to get it. 

Many businesses are benefitting from training site and office-based staff as Mental Health First Aiders. The popularity of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) originated in Australia but has now spread to 24 countries, including the UK. MHFA is offered to employers as a practical, ethical and productive way for employers to invest in the mental and emotional health of their staff. 

Having a MHFA within a business encourages employees to lessen the stigma that still surrounds mental health. It encourages employees who are experiencing emotional distress or suffering in silence with mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety and depression to seek help.

Whilst MHFA are not qualified therapists, counsellors or psychiatrists, they can listen and offer support options. The course offered by the Association to members gives candidates:

• An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect a person's wellbeing
• Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issue
• Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress
• Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support - whether that’s self-help resources, through their employer, the NHS, or a mix

Mindful of their important role in encouraging positive change in the industry, the Association has teamed up with Bianca Jones of EDP Training to offer Association members the opportunity to become a qualified Mental Health First Aider following attendance of a two-day online course. 

Learning takes place through four live training sessions, spread across two days, with self-learning activities in-between. Each session is built around a Mental Health First Aid action plan. This course is limited to 16 people so that the instructor can keep people safe and supported while they learn. 

Tessa Johnstone, Vice Chair and Board Director of the Association’s South-West regional committee, recently attended the training:

“Bianca’s lived experience and deep understanding of her subject delivers an authentic course that, although intense and does need you to commit to the subject, really does prepare you to support and sign post someone coming to you for help, as well as helping you to recognise that someone perhaps needs support but is not ready to talk about it. I cannot recommend the course more highly and the value it adds to your team.”

Please see the further reading section, below, for links to sign-up to the course.

Online mental health first aid course: October 2022

Online mental health first aid course: November 2022