If you walk into the office and see a colleague coughing, sniffling, and clearly unwell, you instinctively know something’s not right. You might even tell them, “You should probably go see a doctor.” Or if someone is on crutches struggling with the stairs, it’s obvious adjustments around the office need to be made to accommodate them while they recover. With physical health, the signs are often very visible, and mostly, we know how to respond to them naturally.

Mental health, however, isn’t always as easy to spot. The signs are often there, but many of us aren’t sure what we’re looking for or what to do when we notice something’s off. It comes down to awareness, or mental health literacy.

For organisations that want to truly support their people, learning to recognise these early signs and respond with confidence is crucial. And the good news is, this is something that can be learned through practical training, such as Richmond Foundation’s Mental Health First Aid at the Workplace.

In any workplace, people show up each day carrying more all sorts of life experiences. Some arrive energised after a good weekend or a family holiday. Others may be dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, or personal challenges.

The difficulty, as Tania Camilleri, Employee Relations Officer & PA to the Management Board at The Miller Group explains, is that while people are happy to share the positives, conversations around mental health can still feel uncomfortable at work.

“There’s often a hesitation,” she notes, “whether it’s fear of being judged or of how it might be perceived professionally.”

Recognising this, the company set out to create a more open and supportive culture through adopting a Mental Health First Aid training programme with Richmond Foundation.

“Our organisation has greatly benefited from the training,” Tania says. “It’s strengthened our culture by making conversations about wellbeing more open and supportive.” She explains that employees now feel more confident recognising signs of distress and stepping in to offer help, leading to better morale and earlier intervention.

“I strongly encourage other companies to invest in this training,” she adds. “It creates safer, healthier, and more compassionate workplaces.”

Mental Health First Aid offers clear, practical benefits for organisations while equipping teams with the skills to respond when it matters most.

For your organisation, the benefits include:

• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism linked to poor mental health
• Improved employee retention, morale, and overall engagement
• Stronger team dynamics and a more supportive workplace culture
• Earlier intervention before issues escalate into more serious challenges
• A healthier, more resilient workforce both mentally and emotionally

More than just theory, participants will gain practical tools to:

• Recognise early signs of stress, anxiety, burnout, or depression
• Approach colleagues with confidence, empathy, and appropriate boundaries
• Start supportive conversations without fear of “saying the wrong thing”
• Guide individuals towards professional help and available support services
• Respond calmly and effectively in difficult or sensitive situations

Create a more open and supportive workplace with Richmond Foundation. We can tailor our Mental Health First Aid training to your organisation’s needs, helping your people feel confident to support one another, all the while creating a culture where no one has to struggle in silence.