This blog on the ripple effect of Mental Health Training was written by Andrea Wallman, Training and Development Lead for Bradford District and Craven Mind and Leeds Mind. 

Will you start a ripple effect in your organisation?

Mental health is being discussed more and more between friends, family and colleagues and deservedly so. Everyone has mental health and it’s important for us to talk about it as openly as we do with physical health, especially when we experience difficulties.

When an employee attends mental health training of any kind, it increases their knowledge, confidence and skills. This can help them to understand their own mental health and to be able to understand and support those around them; be it a colleague, customer, or someone they manage.

The wonderful thing about mental health training is it that the new skills can also impact beyond the workplace, creating a ripple effect that includes families, friends, neighbours and communities.

Here are four ways that mental health training can start a ripple effect from your business.

1. Enhance employee wellbeing

Training staff in mental health awareness equips them with the knowledge and skills to recognise signs of mental ill health, provide support and signposting, and encourage people to open up.

It helps organisations create a space where employees feel valued, understood, and empowered. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and overall wellbeing. When staff members are mentally healthy, they will be better equipped to manage challenging situations, making them more resilient and adaptable.

2. Reduce stigma of mental health

Mental health training helps to dispel misconceptions and reduces the stigma associated with mental health difficulties. By challenging stereotypes and increasing awareness, organisations contribute to a more empathetic and understanding society.

Employees who have undergone mental health training may become advocates, influencing their families and friends, thereby starting the ripple effect that promotes conversations about mental health.

3. Improve your team dynamics

Colleagues armed with a better understanding of mental health are more empathetic towards each other’s individual experiences. This support system encourages open discussions about mental health and enables teams to offer support to each other and share resources.  

4. Positively impact families and communities

Learning these skills will extend beyond the workplace and impact the families and communities of employees. When staff members feel supported and have access to resources their own wellbeing and mental health improves resulting in conversations with family members and friends. These positive changes may inspire others to explore mental health resources for themselves or seek support when needed. Just starting a conversation about mental health can be the first big step towards feeling better.  

If you’re interested in finding out more about our mental health training, you can visit our training page where you can hear from our clients in the community who have graduated from our training school. You can also download our training brochure here. 

To discuss your training needs please reach out to our training team on training@mindinbradford.org.uk.