How Can Mental Health First Aid Training Benefit Your Employees?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps individuals feel better equipped to manage mental health crisis situations while building mental health literacy. It also gives your employees the skills to provide initial support to someone who may be navigating a mental health challenge. Studies have found that those who are MHFA trained have greater confidence in providing help to others and an increased likelihood of advising people to seek professional help.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps remove the hesitation in starting a conversation about mental health problems by providing a plan in how to approach the topic and identify the crisis responsibly. The program helps participants identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges. It also keeps them in concordance with health professionals about treatments.
According to a Mercer survey that analyzed health and benefits strategies for 2023, mental health incentives will continue to be a crucial benefit and employers will be placing a stronger focus on behavioral incentives as well. Employer-sponsored behavioral health programs, such as MHFA training, have been associated with improvements in depression and anxiety, fewer days of missed work, and a positive financial return on investment. Implementing these types of benefits while increasing communication and encouraging employees to utilize the offerings can also improve employee retention.
For more information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training or other ways to decrease the stigma around mental health, contact a member of our Wellness team.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alli Arndt
Alli Arndt is a Wellness Manager on Assurance’s Risk Management Team. With a passion for improving the health of companies and their employees, Alli works closely with her clients to create large-scale corporate wellness programs. After first gaining a solid understanding of a company’s culture, Alli then helps to develop, implement and manage a strategic wellness program tailored to their needs. Alli received her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiology with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Iowa. She received her Certified Worksite Wellness Specialist (CWWS) and Certified Worksite Wellness Program Manager (CWWPM) designations from the National Wellness Institute.
