Being an MHFAider in the workplace Being an MHFAider makes you an important part of an organisation’s health and wellbeing strategy. But to perform your role effectively and safely at work, MHFA England training should be one part of a whole organisation approach. You need the full support of your employer, which should include an effective strategy, policies and procedures, and clear communication of your role and how you will be supported. Policies Discuss with your employer what
Managers course. Find out how you might work together as a team. Each role is different but plays a part in supporting a mentally healthy organisation. Support for you In the workplace, you should be able to uphold your role as an MHFAider alongside your other responsibilities. It’s a rewarding role, but it can also be a challenging one. It’s important that you find out what support is available to you. It would be useful for you to know: – who you should contact if you need support or are concerned about any aspect of your role – whether there is a peer support system such as an MHFAider network where you can meet regularly with others to discuss your role and share ideas – whether you will have the opportunity to renew your skills on an MHFA Refresher course after three years
organisational policies and procedures you should follow and refer to as an MHFAider, including who to communicate concerns of a mental health crisis with. Ask your employer what steps they are taking to adopt a whole organisation approach to mental health and wellbeing. Referral pathways Your workplace may have its own support available for employees, such as an Occupational Health or an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Find out from your employer what the referral pathways are for mental health support and how best to signpost a colleague, either internally or externally. If in doubt on where to signpost, use the MHFAider Support App to access the Hub of Hope . Communication Ask your employer how they will let colleagues know you are an MHFAider and how to contact you. Some examples include putting up posters around the workplace, putting a list on an intranet hub, or giving out MHFAider lanyards or badges. MHFAider posters are available to download from the MHFAider Support App. Working together You may be working with colleagues who have completed another MHFA England course such as MHFA Champion, Mental Health Aware or Mental Health Skills for
“It’s as though the safe space created during the MHFA training has come back with us into the office. We now feel able to be more open with each other about our mental health and to support each other when we are stressed.” Pamela, MHFAider
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