Nurturing the nurturers: The need for continuous support for mental health first aiders

MHFA cover
Best Practice HR

Nurturing the nurturers: The need for continuous support for mental health first aiders

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Download the PDF guide

More organisations are waking up to the importance of psychological wellbeing – with issues such as burnout, depression, and workplace anxiety rising to the surface and interfering with daily life. A recent survey found that 77% of employees reported feeling stressed to the point of burnout in the previous month.

MHFAiders provide frontline support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or difficulty. Much like first aid responders at the scene of a physical injury, MHFAiders are trained with the necessary skills and resources to step in and offer critical assistance at a moment’s notice.

However, these individuals are not full-time mental health professionals. They live and work among us in their regular roles, facing the same everyday challenges. For those who are always prepared to respond, we must ask an important question: When MHFAiders are caring for others, who is caring for them?

What do mental health first aiders do?

MHFA training equips everyday people with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges, creating a first line of defence against mental health issues in the workplace.

Mental Health First Aiders are trained to:

  • Spot the signs of mental health challenges
  • Provide immediate, non-judgmental support
  • Guide individuals towards professional help when needed
  • Break down the stubborn stigma surrounding mental health

The impact of this growing community is significant. According to Mental Health First Aid England, over 660,000 trained MHFAiders have been trained to support businesses across England.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Research paints a picture of the impact of mental health first aiders:

  • Increased mental health literacy among trainees
  • Enhanced ability to identify both professional and self-help resources
  • Significantly greater confidence in helping individuals in distress
  • Measurable reduction in stigma and increased empathy towards those facing mental health challenges

A study found that a staggering 54% of MHFAiders use the skills they have learnt more than once a week, and 29% use their skills at least once a month.

The hidden challenges of being a mental health first aider

Mental Health First Aiders play an important – but they too are human and face some of the same challenges than those they seek to help.

The weight of emotional labour

Constantly supporting others through their darkest moments can take a heavy toll. MHFAiders often absorb the pain and anxiety of those they help, carrying it with them long after the conversation ends. This can increase their own rates of stress and anxiety as they struggle to find someone to turn to in their times of need.

Exposure to others’ traumatic experiences isn’t just emotionally draining – it can lead to secondary traumatic stress. MHFAiders may find themselves reliving the distress of those they’ve supported, blurring the lines between helper and helped.

The balancing act

Most MHFAiders aren’t full-time mental health professionals. They’re juggling their MHFA responsibilities with regular work duties – and often in high-pressure environments. Switching between these two roles can quickly take a toll on one’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is important for any caregiver, but it’s particularly challenging for MHFAiders. The desire to help can sometimes override self-preservation instincts, putting MHFAiders at risk of burnout.

As you can imagine, once individuals know that someone is trained to manage mental health challenges, they can quickly become the “go-to person” for help in every scenario. This can place unexpected – and unnecessary – expectations on them to be always on call and ready to respond.

These challenges aren’t just hypothetical and research highlights the frequent demands placed on these volunteers. Being an MHFAider isn’t a one-time act of kindness – it’s an ongoing commitment that requires continuous support and care.

Ongoing support for MHFAiders isn’t just helpful – it’s essential

In order to help Mental Health First Aiders continue to offer the support and care they bring, they too must have access to support and resources to help them cope with their own experiences. That’s why finding ways to ensure they equip these individuals is so important to helping them stay on the frontlines.

Here are a few ways that MHFAiders can stay fresh and supported in their roles:

  • Regular refresher courses and advanced training ensure MHFAiders have the latest knowledge and techniques to provide support. The more supported and educated an MHFAider feels, the more they can confidently step into challenging situations. Continuous learning helps build and maintain this crucial self-assurance.
  • Supporting others is emotionally demanding work. Without proper self-care strategies and support systems, MHFAiders risk burning out. Ongoing support helps them maintain their mental wellbeing, allowing them to continue helping others.
  • From pandemic-related anxiety to the mental health impacts of climate change, new issues are constantly arising. MHFAiderss need to be prepared to address these evolving concerns.
  • Connecting MHFAiders creates a valuable support network. This peer-to-peer support allows for shared experiences, problem-solving, and mutual encouragement.

By investing in their ongoing training, providing resources for self-care, and creating strong support networks, we’re not just helping the helpers – we’re strengthening the entire fabric of mental health support in our communities.

The ripple effect: How supporting MHFAiders benefits everyone

Investing in the ongoing support of Mental Health First Aiders isn’t just good for the MHFAiders themselves – it can create a powerful ripple effect that benefits the entire organisation.

For instance, when MHFAiders are given the time and resources to properly fulfil their role, they can better support colleagues who may be struggling with mental health issues. This can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve workplace morale.

Having a visible and active MHFA program in place can also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. As MHFAiders become more recognised and valued for their contributions, it sends a message that mental health is a priority within the company.

Creating a culture of continuous support

Organisations need to go beyond simply offering training to truly nurture Mental Health First Aiders. They must cultivate a culture that values and supports mental health at every level. Here are some best practices for creating this culture:

Leadership buy-in

To help MHFAiders stay engaged and effective, leadership needs to show their support and actively promote the program. This can include regular check-ins with MHFAiders, acknowledging their contributions, and providing them with resources and tools to continue learning and growing in their role.

Open communication

Creating an environment where open communication about mental health is encouraged is crucial for cultivating a supportive culture. This means having open-door policies, providing opportunities for employees to share their experiences and concerns, and ensuring confidentiality when discussing sensitive topics.

Mental health resources

In addition to training MHFAiders, organisations should provide all employees access to mental health resources. This can include employee assistance programs (EAPs), counselling services, and self-care resources such as meditation or stress management techniques. It’s important to have various resources available so that individuals can find what works best for them.

Caring for the caregivers

If we want to ensure that MHFAiders can help, we need to help them in return. Well-supported MHFAiders contribute to healthier organisations, reduced stigma around mental health, and more resilient communities. They embody a culture of care that ripples outward, touching lives in ways we may never fully quantify.