Research exposes "significant issues" with workplace Mental Health First Aid implementation

Days after a plea was issued to Government for 'mental health first aid' (MHFA) to become mandatory, new research led by University of Nottingham academics highlights "significant issues around the lack of clarity with boundaries and potential safety concerns". A feasibility study sheds fresh light on widespread use by companies of employee training to address workplace mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-harm and substance misuse. Researchers in the School of Health Sciences, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), found both positives and areas for concern, including inadequate boundaries for employees and a lack of proof that MHFA is effective. Principal investigator Professor Avril Drummond, from the School of Health Sciences, said: "We found examples of excellent practice in rolling out the mental health first aid training where there were clearly strategies in place to support staff who felt confident in their role. "However, we also found examples where staff felt unsupported and where, for example, they had co-workers contacting them outside working hours: there were significant issues around lack of clarity with boundaries and potential safety concerns for the trained person." 'Prevention first'. Duncan Spencer, Head of Advice and Practice at IOSH, said: "Mental Health First Aid has become a prominent way of training individuals to recognise signs and symptoms of mental health problems and to select appropriate responses.