Sometimes first aid is not a bandage, CPR or the Heimlich. Sometimes, first aid is a person who knows what to say. Mental health training gives your people the skills to notice when a colleague is struggling and the confidence to help. It is also a practical way to show your team that you take their well-being seriously.
Why Mental Health Belongs in the Workplace
Employees expect their workplace to care about mental health. According to a 2023 American Psychological Association survey, 92 percent of workers say it is important to be part of an organization that prioritizes emotional well-being. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that more than one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. Those people are your coworkers, managers and friends.
Mental health challenges affect focus, attendance, safety and relationships at work. Yet many people hesitate to speak up. When managers and peers know what to look for, they can connect someone to help sooner.
It also helps to think about who your people turn to first. Frontline supervisors, safety leads and HR partners often hear about problems before anyone else. Giving those individuals deeper training multiplies its impact across your organization. Meanwhile, a broader session builds a shared language that everyone understands.
Mental Health First Aid: In-Depth Skills for Real Situations
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognized, skills-based training. It teaches participants to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults. Participants practice the MHFA action plan in real-world scenarios. They also receive a certificate valid for three years and access to Kapnick Strive’s MHFA Toolbox. Additionally, the course earns seven PDCs for HRCI and SHRM.
Strive offers MHFA in two formats. The in-person option is a 7.5-hour, instructor-led session. The blended option pairs a two-hour, self-paced online course with a 4.5- to 5.5-hour instructor-led session, delivered virtually or in person. Each session hosts 15 to 30 participants.
QPR: Suicide Prevention in 75 Minutes
QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. This 75-minute, instructor-led training teaches participants to recognize the warning signs of suicide and intervene. It also covers suicide myths and facts and how to support someone in crisis. QPR is available onsite or virtually, with a minimum of 10 attendees and no maximum. Participants receive a virtual QPR booklet and access to Kapnick Strive’s QPR Toolbox. As a result, it fits easily into busy schedules and works well for remote or shift-based teams.
Choosing the Right Mental Health Training
Both programs build a more supportive workplace, but they serve different needs:
- Choose MHFA for HR, managers, supervisors and leaders who need deeper skills.
- Choose QPR to reach all employees quickly, including remote teams.
- Combine both to build a long-term culture of support.
Either way, the benefits extend across the organization. Trained employees recognize challenges early, which enables timely support. Open conversations reduce stigma. Proactive support can also help reduce absenteeism, presenteeism and burnout.
Give Your Team the Skills to Help
Contact Sara Armstrong at sara.armstrong@kapnick.com for additional details and to schedule MHFA or QPR for your team.
