Why is mental health training so important?
Mental health training is a key part of any successful workplace wellbeing strategy
Research shows that 1 in 6 people will experience a common mental health problem in any given week. The impact of mental ill-health is far reaching, and can result in negative outcomes for:
- Individuals, who are experiencing the symptoms of mental ill health.
- Teams, who can find it harder to communicate effectively, resulting in reduced productivity and creativity.
- Organisations, will face the impact of mental health issues through absenteeism, presenteeism, and associated financial costs.
When businesses implement effective workplace wellbeing strategies, including mental health training, you can expect to see:
- Greater awareness of mental health across your organisation.
- Increased communication and engagement between individuals and across teams.
- Improved psychological safety, leading to greater creativity, productivity and performance.
- Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism.
- Managers and leaders who are equipped to provide the appropriate level of support.
The Health and Safety Executive requires all organisations to protect their employees from stress, and to have measures in place to support those experiencing mental ill health.
BEGINNER
Mental Health Awareness Course
Providing mental health training to all employees is an important step towards reducing the effects of mental ill health. Our Mental Health Awareness Course has been designed to introduce everyone within your organisation to the fundamentals of mental health.
Delivered over 4 hours, participants will:
- Understand the difference between mental health and mental illness
- Have a basic knowledge of the early signs and symptoms
- Know the key differences between common mental health disorders
- Have an introductory understanding of how mental health is managed and treated
INTERMEDIATE
Mental Health Lead Course
Our 1-day Mental Health Leaders Course will empower managers and leaders within your organisation to become confident mental health advocates. Grounded in our work as clinicians, and our expertise in measuring workplace risk factors, we instil a deeper understanding of workplace mental health.
Your Mental Health Leads will:
- Understand what may drive mental health problems within your organisation
- Have a knowledge base of mental health symptoms and management
- Know how to manage and signpost individuals who are unwell
- Be confident in supporting people to get the right help at the right time
"When managers support employee well-being, employees are 25% more likely to be happy at work"
Women in the Workplace report, 2021
An evidence based approach
Our training is grounded in NICE guidelines
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published extensive guidelines on mental health at work, which you can read here. Our training is closely aligned with these guidelines.
Management Training
NICE specifically recommends that organisations provide mental health training for managers.
This helps create a supportive work environment and ensures leaders can support their team's wellbeing.
Group-Based Approach
The guidelines say that training should be delivered in group settings, allowing for:
- Shared learning experiences
- Peer support opportunities
- Interactive discussions
- Practice of new skills together
Employee Clinical Skills
It also says that employees should receive practical training in specific mental health support skills, including:
- Grounding techniques for managing anxiety and stress
- De-escalation strategies for challenging situations
- Other evidence-based coping mechanisms
A proactive alternative
What about Mental Health First Aid training?
Our Mental Health Lead course is a comprehensive alternative to Mental Health First Aid courses.
Mental Health First aid promotes a ‘reactive’ approach and only equips individuals to assist people when they are already in distress.
At MOAI, we believe that a preventative approach is much more effective. Our Mental Health Leaders Course educates managers and leaders on workplace risk factors, and how to spot the signs of common mental health problems so they can intervene earlier.
Meet our training team
MOAI Training is designed and delivered by practising who support people with their mental health every day.
Dr Adisha Kapila
Mental Health Training Lead
MBBS BSc MRCPsych
Dr Kapila is a CAMHS psychiatry registrar with experience in both child and adult mental health. She leads MOAI’s mental health training for industry leaders and the public, focusing on early intervention and comprehensive care. Her expertise equips managers with practical strategies to support employee wellbeing and resilience.
Dr Oliver Shipston-Sharman
Chief Platform Officer & Co-Founder
MBChB BMedSci (Hons)
Dr Shipston-Sharman is MOAI’s Chief Platform Officer and Co-founder, specialising in neurocomputational modelling and machine learning for mental health. He translates advanced research into practical workplace strategies, helping organisations use data-driven approaches to mitigate psychosocial risks and enhance employee mental health support.
Dr Patrick Davey
MOAI Founder & Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur BM BSc (OXON) MRCPsych
Dr Davey is a consultant psychiatrist with extensive frontline mental health experience. He has led research on VR in emetophobia and developed digital and clinical services that support workplace mental health, including risk factor compliance, strategy, and therapies. His expertise helps organisations build sustainable, evidence-based mental health practices.
Dr Adisha Kapila
Mental Health Training Lead
MBBS BSc MRCPsych
Dr Kapila is a CAMHS psychiatry registrar with experience in both child and adult mental health. She leads MOAI’s mental health training for industry leaders and the public, focusing on early intervention and comprehensive care. Her expertise equips managers with practical strategies to support employee wellbeing and resilience.
Dr Oliver Shipston-Sharman
Chief Platform Officer & Co-Founder
MBChB BMedSci (Hons)
Dr Shipston-Sharman is MOAI’s Chief Platform Officer and Co-founder, specialising in neurocomputational modelling and machine learning for mental health. He translates advanced research into practical workplace strategies, helping organisations use data-driven approaches to mitigate psychosocial risks and enhance employee mental health support.
Dr Patrick Davey
MOAI Founder & Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur BM BSc (OXON) MRCPsych
Dr Davey is a consultant psychiatrist with extensive frontline mental health experience. He has led research on VR in emetophobia and developed digital and clinical services that support workplace mental health, including risk factor compliance, strategy, and therapies. His expertise helps organisations build sustainable, evidence-based mental health practices.
What is the role of mental health training in the workplace
Providing mental health training to all employees is an important step towards mitigating the effects of mental illness by raising global understanding of what it is and helping reduce stigma around reporting it. However, our clinical team at MOAI are keen to share their view that mental health training should not be considered as a complete workplace wellbeing solution.
Mental health training does not
Count as a complete workplace mental health strategy
Qualify individuals as therapists or counsellors
Substitute the requirement for professional assistance
Mental health training does
Form a component of a systemic workplace mental health strategy
Instruct individuals on non-judgmental listening
Reduce stigma around mental health
Facilitate conversations around mental illness
Provide guidance on identifying early warning signs
Enhance awareness of personal and others' mental health
Client testimonial
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Questions. Answers.
Who are the courses for?
Our courses follow a tiered programme. Some of our courses are suitable for everyone, while others are designed for managers and leaders.
All employees: Our Mental Health Awareness course is designed to improve awareness across your entire team. Each of our risk factor-specific workshops can also be attended by all employees.
Managers and Leaders: Providing a deeper understanding of workplace mental health, our Mental Health Lead course empowers managers and leaders to become confident mental health champions.
What if I need to cancel?
You can reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before the course. If you cancel within 48 hours, you will not be entitled to a refund.
How do I book?
Click here to email our course co-ordinator. Once you have chosen your course date/time and paid for your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with the pre-reading material and course link.
Do I get a certificate?
At the end of each course, you will receive a signed certificate.
Are you CPD Accredited?
All our courses are CPD accredited and a MOAI certificate of completion will be sent for your portfolio. After you complete the MOAI your course, you will be awarded with a MOAI Health certification in mental which is valid for 3 years.
Where are the courses completed?
The Mental Health Awareness and Champion courses are held virtually and in person. We have a central London location, or for group bookings, our trainers can come to you. Our Mental Health Lead course is in-person only and can be delivered at a venue of your choice.
Do you offer discounts for larger group bookings?
Yes. Please get in touch with our course co-ordinator for more information.
Do you offer Mental Health First Aid Training?
No, we no longer offer Mental Health First Aid training. Although we delivered this course previously, our clinicians felt there was a better way to equip managers and leaders to support their teams. Our Mental Health Lead course provides skills and practical experience and a level of risk assessment which in our experience is more realistic for a workplace.
Do I have to do the Awareness training to be eligible for the Mental Health Lead qualification?
No. We recommend our Mental Health Awareness course for all employees, and our Mental Health Lead course for managers and leaders.
Our team of experts are committed to working closely with you to better understand how we can develop sustainable and meaningful change together
