An MP has proposed a new law that would legally require businesses to have mental health first aiders.
The new law was presented by Conservative MP Dean Russell as a Ten-Minute Rule Bill. Mr Russell believes the Bill would help employers identify the early signs of mental health concerns at work.
Ten-Minute Rule Bills rarely become laws, but they are still important in raising awareness for MPs to discuss and concentrate on.
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Currently, mental health first aiders are not legally required, although many businesses already offer training and aid to employees.
Mr Russell believes that legally requiring mental health first aid training would save lives.
He stated that “mental health first aiders, I must be clear, are not expected to be counsellors or psychologists, but just like physical first aiders, who are not expected to be paramedics or surgeons, this Bill will simply mean workers have someone to signpost them to the support and help they need when they need it.”
This idea is not new. It has been discussed by the government and employers for many years.
In 2018, a petition was created called “Where’s Your Head At”. The campaign received 200,000 signatures and campaigned for compulsory mental health first aiders in every workplace.
If the Bill did go ahead, then the training would cost businesses. Supporters of the Bill argue that it would be beneficial when compared to the number of days lost from mental health-related employee absence.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, almost half of the employees who called in sick last year were due to mental health issues.
Mr Russel finished his proposal with “this is not a request that will go away, and I will be back if needed. It is a simple change that will make a massive difference.”
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The purpose of mental health first aiders is similar to first aiders in some respects. They help keep employees safe mentally. Employees trained as mental health first aiders support others in the workplace with mental ill health or distress.
This support varies from a non-judgmental conversation with a colleague, or they could help guide employees to the right support.
The Mental Health First Aider role involves:
• Recognising the early signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health illnesses.
• Developing the essential skills for supportive, non-judgmental conversation with those employees that need it.
• Acquiring the expertise and confidence to guide employees to appropriate professional support.
• Reducing the stigma of mental health by promoting awareness of the issue.
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Although it is uncertain whether this Bill will go ahead, it is still important to support your employees mentally in the workplace.
If you’re currently struggling with employee absence because of mental illness, we can help.
We have 30 years of experience in HR and Employment Law and will give you advice on how to deal with absence and sick leave.
If you would like more advice on mental health sick leave – speak to one of our HR and Employment Law advisors free today at 0800 144 4050.
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At this very early stage in parliament, it is unlikely that it will become law. But we may see something similar come into law or a current law updated to help with this workplace issue.
A mental health aider is an employee trained in either Level 2 or Level 3 in mental health first aid. They support other employees mentally and can guide them in the right direction for professional help.
MHFA England research says that stress and anxiety is the biggest cause of sick leave in the UK. Mental illness costs UK businesses around £35 billion every year, this equates to £10.6 billion lost to sickness absence, £21.2 billion in reduced productivity, and £3.1 billion in replacing employees staff who leave their job roles due to mental illness.
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