The question of whether mental health first aid (MHFA) training should be a legal requirement for UK employers has been debated in Parliament and in the media for several years. Following a government consultation in 2024, the position remains that MHFA training is strongly recommended but not yet legally mandated — though the regulatory landscape may be about to change.
The Current Legal Position
Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers are required to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure that employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. The Regulations do not currently specify that "first aid" includes mental health first aid, though the HSE's guidance notes that employers should consider the mental health needs of their workforce when carrying out a first aid needs assessment.
The Government Consultation
In 2024, the government consulted on proposals to amend the First Aid Regulations to explicitly include mental health first aid. The consultation received over 10,000 responses, with strong support from mental health charities, trade unions, and employer organisations. The government's response, expected in early 2025, is widely anticipated to announce a phased implementation of MHFA requirements.
What Employers Should Do Now
Regardless of the regulatory outcome, the business case for MHFA training is compelling. Mental health conditions account for approximately 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost to ill health in the UK. Employers who invest in MHFA training typically see reductions in sickness absence, improvements in employee engagement, and a reduction in the number of employees reaching crisis point.
For organisations wishing to develop in-house MHFA training capability, Abertay Training offers Mental Health First Aid Trainer qualifications.