Mental health first aid guidance from IOSH
Volunteer Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) do not tackle the root causes of mental health issues and new business guidance cautions against over-reliance on them.
Health and safety professionals’ body IOSH issued the new guidance following concerns about the use of employee volunteers to tackle mental health issues.
IOSH-commissioned research by the University of Nottingham revealed “significant issues” with the way employers are implementing MHFA in workplaces (see Workplace Report, December 2018 page 16).
“IOSH calls for a ‘prevention first’ approach incorporating MHFA as part of an organisation’s overall efforts to protect their workforce from mental health problems,” said head of advice and practice Duncan Spencer.
www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2018/november/mental-health-first-aid.aspx