Mental health first aid | New course aims to help people managers support employee mental health & performance

Mental Health First Aid England has launched a new training course designed to equip people managers with the skills and confidence to support their teams' mental health while driving performance.

The Supporting Team Mental Health and Performance course responds to the growing challenges managers face in balancing employee wellbeing with performance expectations. With one in five workers taking time off due to work-related stress and poor mental health (Mental Health UK) and 63% of long-term workplace absences linked to mental ill health (CIPD), investing in management training is crucial for organisations committed to building thriving, resilient teams.

'Managers play a critical role in employee wellbeing'

Sarah McIntosh, Chief Executive of MHFA England, said: "We know that managers play a critical role in shaping workplace culture and employee wellbeing. Research from the Workforce Institute at UKG shows that for nearly 70% of people, their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or doctor. Yet, too often, managers feel unequipped to navigate conversations about mental health and performance.

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"This course bridges that gap by providing practical strategies and tools to build psychologically safe, high-performing teams where people and organisations can thrive."