Mental Health in the Workplace: Why every organisation needs it

Adam Holmes • 18 November 2025

Transforming the approach to employee well being

Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace: Why Every Organisation Needs It

In recent years, workplaces have started to recognise that Mental Health is just as vital as physical health. Yet when someone is struggling, many colleagues simply don’t know what to say, how to respond, or where to direct them for help.

That’s where ATH Training Group comes in.

ATH Training Group equips employees and leaders with the skills to spot the signs of a mental health problem, respond calmly and compassionately, and guide someone towards appropriate support. It isn’t counselling, and it isn’t diagnosis — it’s practical, human support delivered at the moment it matters most.

From January 2026 ATH Training Group will be offering open Mental Health in the Workplace courses, making training staff as easy as it is with physical First Aid. Deatils on our courses can be found here.

What does Mental Health in the Workplace Training Provide

•    Recognise early signs of mental health issues
•    Approach someone who may be struggling
•    Offer initial support without judgement
•    Encourage professional help when appropriate
•    Respond to crises such as panic attacks or suicidal thoughts
•    Create an environment where people feel they can open up
Think of it as the mental health equivalent of physical first aid:
You can put a plaster on a cut – Mental Health is different.

Why Mental Health Training  Matters at Work

1.    Employees Are Facing Increasing Pressure, Stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression are now some of the most common wellbeing challenges in modern organisations. Yet many people hide their struggles until they reach breaking point. ATH Training Group help staff understand how to create a culture where people feel safe and able to speak up.

2.    Managers Are Expected to Support Wellbeing — Without Training. Leaders are often the first to see changes in behaviour or performance, but without the right skills they may:
•    Avoid difficult conversations
•    Say something unhelpful or inflammatory 
•    Overstep personal boundaries
•    Misinterpret what’s really going on

ATH Training Group gives them clarity, confidence, and structure.

3.    It Improves Safety and Overall Wellbeing. A mentally healthy workplace helps reduce:
•    Stress-related illness
•    Workplace conflict
•    Mistakes and accidents
•    Absence
•    Staff turnover

It creates a healthier, safer, more supportive environment.

4.    It Strengthens Organisational Culture. When people know their wellbeing is taken seriously, it builds:
•    Trust
•    Loyalty
•    Better teamwork
•    Open communication

A strong culture of mental health support becomes a powerful recruitment and retention tool.


How Organisations Can Implement Mental Health in the Workplace Effectively

1. Train key groups starting with:

•    People managers
•    HR teams
•    Leaders and supervisors
•    Wellbeing or Mental Health champions
•    High-pressure departments
•    Staff with an interest in supporting employee Mental Health and well being

2. Normalise conversations about mental health. Do this by:

•    Sharing internal mental health resources
•    Running wellbeing awareness sessions
•    Encouraging leaders to model openness

3. Integrate Mental Heath in the Workplace into wider wellbeing initiatives. Combine Employee Mental Health with:

•    Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
•    Stress management workshops
•    Burnout prevention strategies
•    Flexible working policies

4. Make support easy to access. Ensure employees know how and where to seek help — without fear of stigma.


The Bottom Line

Mental Health isn’t a fad; it’s a crucial skill for modern workplaces. When employees feel supported, they bring more:

•    Focus
•    Engagement
•    Creativity
•    Empathy
•    Commitment

A mentally healthy workforce is not only good for people — it’s good for business.