In 2025, mental health in the workplace is no longer a side conversation—it’s a central pillar of a company’s health and safety strategy. The post-pandemic workforce expects more than physical safety; they want psychological safety, emotional support, and a culture that actively promotes wellbeing.

In this blog, we explore why mental health has become one of the hottest topics in health and safety, the types of training that are in high demand, and how businesses can build a meaningful mental health strategy.

The Shift: Why Mental Health Is Taking Centre Stage

In recent years, employers have seen an explosion of demand for mental health support—and it’s being driven by several powerful factors:

Mental health is now recognised under the same duty of care as physical health. Employers are expected to assess and manage work-related stress, just as they would any other health and safety risk. Failing to do so could result in legal consequences and reputational damage.

2. The Pandemic Effect

COVID-19 disrupted the world of work, leading to isolation, burnout, and blurred work-life boundaries. The result? A lasting shift in employee expectations around wellbeing, especially in remote and hybrid environments.

3. A New Business Priority

Wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice to have’. Research by Deloitte shows that mental health interventions can return up to £5 for every £1 spent, thanks to improved retention, reduced sickness absence, and higher productivity.

4. Employee Expectations

Today’s workforce—especially Gen Z and Millennials—want their employers to take mental health seriously. It’s a key factor in recruitment and retention, and companies ignoring it risk being left behind.

Training That’s In Demand Right Now

Organisations are investing in training that empowers their teams to recognise, respond to, and prevent mental health issues at work. Here’s what’s trending:

MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) Courses

Courses like Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) train individuals to spot the early signs of mental health issues, provide support, and guide colleagues to professional help. Think of it as the mental health equivalent of physical first aid.

Stress Risk Assessment Training

Managers and supervisors are being up-skilled to identify, assess, and mitigate work-related stress factors using HSE’s Management Standards approach.

Building a Wellbeing Strategy

More health and safety professionals are being tasked with developing a cohesive wellbeing strategy—one that includes policies, communication plans, and ongoing support structures.

Creating Psychological Safety

Training that helps leadership teams foster open, supportive environments—where people feel safe to speak up without fear of judgement or reprisal—is becoming increasingly popular.

Your Next Step: Make Mental Health Part of Your Safety Culture

If your organisation is serious about creating a resilient, high-performing workforce, now is the time to act. Mental health training isn’t just a compliance exercise—it’s a competitive advantage.

Whether you’re looking to train designated Mental Health First Aiders, assess and reduce stress in your teams, or develop a company-wide wellbeing strategy, we can help.

Explore our mental health and wellbeing training courses to create a safer, healthier, and more engaged workplace.

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