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Mental Health in India: Courses on First Aid for Workplaces

2024-02-02

Mental Health in India: Courses on First Aid for Workplaces


 

Mental Health in India is a critical concern, especially in workplaces. Do your employees know how to support a coworker dealing with mental health issues? Shockingly, 40% of employees say their jobs negatively affect their mental health, and 75% report encountering stigma at work.

These statistics are rising and can greatly impact team members' overall well-being, productivity, and job retention.

That's where the MHFA Workplace Course comes in. This course is designed to equip employees, leaders, managers, etc, with the knowledge and skills needed to provide mental health support at work.

This course focuses on empowering employees to create a supportive environment and effectively address mental health concerns in the workplace.


Introduction to the MHFA Workplaces course

This course is designed to introduce you to the MHFA program in India, enabling you to apply these skills effectively. 

However, it's important to note that while it equips you as a trained MHFA individual, it's not a substitute for professional mental health advice.

As mentioned, throughout this course, you'll learn how to provide initial support to coworkers or other employees facing mental health challenges until professional help arrives or the situation improves.

But is this really important? And is it really that helpful?

Consider this... untreated mental health conditions cost employers $47.6 billion in lost productivity each year. Also, a staggering 80% of the Indian workforce has reported mental health issues the past year according to a 2022 Deloitte report.

At MHFA India, our goal is to encourage seeking professional help or additional support WHEN needed. 

We have already trained thousands of individuals across the country to recognise, understand, and respond to signs of challenges in substance use and mental health in India. But we're not stopping here!

We want everyone to have at least one certified Mental Health First Aider for every 10 people, especially at work. For this, you need to be equipped to identify, understand, and respond to signs of issues on mental health in India.

This course offers access to an internationally recognized Mental Health First Aid program tailored to the Indian context.

What can you learn in this course?

This course is divided into 5 comprehensive modules, each dedicated to exploring critical aspects of mental health in India:


  1. Introduction (on Mental Health In India as the action plan ALGEE)

  2. Depression 

  3. Anxiety

  4. Psychosis

  5. Substance use issues


We include activities both before and after the modules to gather anonymous data about participants' feelings and what they know or have learned. 

This helps us assess their attitudes, knowledge, and behavior towards mental health before the training begins. The post-module activities aim to measure any changes compared to their pre-training levels.

Recognizing and understanding these conditions early can enable timely support and intervention, reducing absenteeism and fostering a more supportive culture in the workplace.

The curriculum is structured around practical, evidence-based strategies, providing employees with an actionable plan. It equips them with the skills needed to initiate conversations with individuals showing concerning symptoms, offering initial assistance, and guiding them toward appropriate support systems.

Utilizing interactive exercises, videos, and assessment tests, the modules provide a nuanced understanding of what it feels like to live with these disorders. 

Forward-thinking and empathetic employers should strongly consider offering this MHFA India Workplace course to their employees. 

This training isn't just about handling difficult circumstances... 

Also, it's important for such employers to provide access to appropriate professional services and resources. 

How the MHFA India-Workplace Course can help

  • Create a new path of resilience and positive culture 

  • Improve wellbeing in the workplace by shaping a positive work culture where people have higher empathy and are more understanding of each other’s struggles.

  • Address mental health and/or substance use challenges at early stages. 

  • Increase employee productivity, as well as morale and retention

It's important to note that the benefits of MHFA extend beyond the completion of the course. Our commitment to your first aiders doesn't end there. They become part of the MHFA community, offering ongoing support in their crucial role. 

[Explore the MHFAiader page for more information and continued assistance in promoting mental health within your workplace.]


How do MHFAiders help in the workplace?

  • MHFAiders form a community that sustains ongoing discussions and initiatives related to mental health.

  • They assist management and HR in grasping the genuine mental health needs of the individuals they support, fostering regular communication.

  • MHFAiders establish a secure route for those in need to connect with suitable mental health services, enhancing the utilization of EAP or other external support services.

  • It's a measurable program that can be assessed to enhance mental health actions and interventions.

Get your employees on board

MHFA at Workplace course equips businesses to educate employees across all levels on identifying and responding to colleagues facing mental health or substance use challenges in the workplace. 

It aims to foster a resilient mindset among employees and instill best practices for self-care.

Considering the significant amount of time spent—often more than 45 hours per week—working alongside colleagues, there's a great opportunity to notice and offer support to those in need. 

“I don’t want my employees to be more engaged.” – Said no boss ever!

Encouraging more companies to take the MHFA India Workplace course will establish a new safety net within workplaces prioritizing prevention over cure.

By promoting such programs, workplaces can become nurturing environments where employees (above all) feel supported, understood, and equipped to assist each other during difficult times.

Prioritize mental health in the workplace before it hits your bottom line.

Check out the course here.

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