Norman Lamb MP has called on the government to bring parity to mental and physical health by introducing mental health first aid in the workplace.

Speaking in the Guardian on World Mental Health Day (Monday 10th October) he said:

“It is estimated that one in four people experience a mental health issue in any given year, and that one in six employees is depressed, anxious or suffering from stress-related problems at any time. However, many of us know little about mental health. We often don’t spot the signs that a colleague, employee, or we ourselves are struggling, and this delays help and recovery.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, with support from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England and Mind, I am calling on the government to act and bring parity to mental and physical health in the workplace. I’m submitting an early day motion on the issue as the first step towards amending the current legislation, which requires employers to train staff in physical first aid, to in future include mental health first aid.”

Norman, who has recently become a mental health first aider himself, stated that mental health first aid “teaches people the skills and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, listen empathetically and effectively guide a person towards the right support”. It is also hoped that introducing mental health first aid in the workplace will help businesses too, by reducing the number of employee sick days lost to mental ill health.

To find out more about mental health first aid, visit MHFA England.