Mental Health Awareness Training

1Introduction

The opening chapter sets the foundation for the whole course. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what mental health means and why it matters in both personal life and the workplace. Key topics include:

• Common mental health conditions and their impact

• The connection between physical and mental wellbeing

• Reasons employers should prioritise mental health and create a supportive culture

2Understanding mental health

In this chapter, you’ll explore the Mental Health Continuum, a practical model that shows how mental health can fluctuate over time. At each stage, the course outlines clear, actionable steps to support your own wellbeing or help others, making this section highly practical for both individuals and managers.

You’ll also examine the key factors that influence mental health, including mindset, external events, and physical health. Real-life case studies demonstrate how everyday pressures, lifestyle choices, and external circumstances can affect mental wellbeing, helping you recognise early signs of stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges.

By the end of this chapter, you’ll have a clear framework for understanding mental health, practical strategies to maintain wellbeing, and insight into how physical and mental health are connected, making it an essential part of the online mental health awareness training and a valuable resource for promoting workplace wellbeing.

3Common mental health problems

There are hundreds of mental health disorders, but some are more prevalent and have a significant impact on daily life and workplace wellbeing. This chapter focuses on the most common conditions, helping you recognise the signs and symptoms and understand how they can affect individuals both personally and professionally.

You’ll explore:

• Depression – its symptoms, how it can affect mood, energy, and motivation, and practical ways to provide support.

• Anxiety – including common triggers, physical and emotional symptoms, and strategies to manage it effectively.

• Stress – including workplace stress, its impact on performance and wellbeing, and techniques to reduce its effects.

• Burnout – understanding the causes, early warning signs, and preventative measures.

• Addiction – recognising patterns of substance misuse or behavioural addictions and ways to support recovery.

Through this chapter, you’ll gain practical knowledge to identify early warning signs, respond appropriately, and foster a culture of understanding and support in the workplace.

4Supporting mental health

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to monitor your mental health and develop greater self-awareness. You’ll explore changes to look out for, including behavioural, emotional, physical, and psychological signs, helping you recognise when support or action may be needed.

The course covers practical strategies for improving and maintaining mental wellbeing, focusing on body, mind, and spirit. You’ll learn about the importance of sleep, the benefits of regular exercise, and how good nutrition supports mental health.

An interactive section guides you through techniques to challenge negative thoughts and apply them to real-life scenarios, making it easier to adopt positive thinking habits. You’ll also explore resilience-building strategies, including:

• Tips to manage worry and reduce stress

• Maintaining a healthy work/life balance

• Understanding primary emotions and techniques to manage them effectively

• Breathing exercises and other practical methods to support emotional wellbeing

This chapter concludes with actionable tips for building resilience, giving you the tools to maintain mental wellbeing in everyday life and in the workplace. It’s a practical and empowering part of the online mental health awareness training designed to help individuals and teams promote workplace wellbeing and support mental health with confidence.

5Reflection

To complete the Mental Health Awareness Training, you’ll undertake a reflective exercise to consolidate your learning and apply the insights gained throughout the course. This helps you embed practical strategies for supporting your own wellbeing and fostering a mentally healthy workplace.

You may also be interested in our other Health and Wellbeing courses including our Building Resilience Training or our Drug and Alcohol Awareness Course, which complement this training and form part of our wider online workplace wellbeing training catalogue.