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Mental Health First Aiders

Joe Morrison
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Engagement Techniques - Mental Health First Aiders

Engagement Technique: Mental Health First Aiders

Mental health is part of work, whether we talk about it or not. Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) are a practical way organisations can support employees when things aren’t going well.

This isn’t about turning employees into therapists, and they should not be your only ‘solution’ when it comes to supporting employees – but they certainly help.

It’s about making sure someone is there to spot the signs, start a conversation, and guide people to the right support.

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What are Mental Health First Aiders?

Mental Health First Aiders are trained employees who act as a first point of contact for colleagues experiencing mental health challenges.

They are trained to:

  • Recognise early signs of mental ill health
  • Listen without judgement
  • Start supportive conversations
  • Assess risk (including crisis situations)
  • Signpost to professional help

They are not counsellors or clinicians. Their role is early support and direction, not diagnosis or treatment. Think of it like physical first aid – not doctors, but people who can help in the moment and guide people to the right help.

How it works in practice

Most organisations train a group of volunteers across different departments to become Mental Health First Aiders. You typically get outside support to train (much as you would a first aider)

They are usually:

  • Visible across the business (internal comms, posters, Slack channels)
  • Available for confidential conversations
  • Supported by HR or People teams

Training is typically delivered over 1–2 days and includes real-life scenarios, conversation techniques, and crisis awareness. Once trained, they act as an accessible, human support layer within the business.

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Why it works

Mental Health First Aiders improve engagement because they make support visible and accessible.

They help create:

  • A culture where people feel comfortable speaking up
  • Earlier intervention before issues escalate
  • Better awareness across teams
  • Stronger peer-to-peer support

There’s also a business case. Mental health issues are one of the biggest drivers of absence and lost productivity in the UK, costing businesses billions each year. Having trained people internally helps address issues earlier.

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What to watch out for

Simply training Mental Health First Aiders and leaving them to it isn’t enough. This is where a lot of companies get it wrong. A few realities:

It requires ongoing support: MHFAs need check-ins, guidance, and boundaries. Otherwise, it can become overwhelming.

They are not professionals: Be clear on the role. They support, they don’t solve.

Confidentiality matters: Trust is everything. If people don’t trust the role, they won’t use it.

It shouldn’t replace proper support: This should sit alongside access to HR, EAPs, or external services.

Not everyone will use it: And that’s fine. The value is in having the option available.

The Takeaway

Mental Health First Aiders are a practical way to support employees at work. They won’t solve everything, but they can make a big difference in the moments that matter most.

Engagement can be about making sure people feel supported when they need it.

For more information on training mental health first aiders:

These are two of the most recognised providers in the UK and often work together on training initiatives.

 

This post is part of our Engagement Techniques series of practical, low-cost ideas to bring more connection and meaning into work. Find the rest here

👉 Want to explore techniques like this in more depth? I run interactive employee engagement workshops where we bring these ideas to life.