A Suffolk charity is making workplace mental health education more accessible through the launch of its new training packages.
The four new packages, offered through Suffolk Mind’s training arm The Mental Health Toolkit (TMHTK), all aim to upskill and instill positive change in businesses nationwide in a more cost-effective way.
The launch was marked with a packed-out breakfast networking event at Venue 16 in Ipswich.
‘Rewarding investment’
Jon Neal, CEO of Suffolk Mind, said: “Since launching The Mental Health Toolkit in 2022 we have been overwhelmed by the response from businesses both in Suffolk and the wider UK.
“Research by Deloitte has shown that for every £1 invested in the workplace, a business receives a minimum of £4.70 in return.
“We’re talking about reductions in staff absences, improvements in productivity and performance – all with the added benefit of supporting mental health.
“Yet still mental ill health costs UK employers a combined £51 billion a year, a figure which could drastically lower should more businesses engage in mental health training.
“It really is such a rewarding investment for any business to make – and something I would wholeheartedly implore them to do.”
Tailored packages
The four separate packages, Base Camp, Explorer, Pioneer and Summit, build on one another and are tailored to the needs of different organisations and teams – including those working in management or human resources. Some also include regular reviews with a TMHTK Account Manager to provide further support beyond the initial courses.
All training delivered by The Mental Health Toolkit uses the Emotional Needs and Resources approach endorsed by Suffolk Mind – with each package including posters and graphic resources for businesses to display to their staff.
Lynn Rozier, one of the Directors of Blue Star Human Resources, who sponsored the event, said the packages are also proving beneficial for HR professionals whose needs are often overlooked.
‘Extremely valuable to businesses’
She added: “We were delighted to have been invited to sponsor and speak at today’s launch event.
“The services provided by The Mental Health Toolkit are extremely valuable to businesses – they are very straightforward and really help managers gain a better understanding of mental health.
“We are fully behind their message of making mental health education more accessible.”
More information on how one of the new packages could help your business can be found at The Mental Health Toolkit.