Providing mental health first aid in the workplace: a Delphi consensus study

Area of Science:

• Workplace mental health
• Occupational health psychology
• First aid interventions

Background:

• Mental health issues are prevalent in workplaces, yet support from managers and colleagues is often inadequate.
• Existing mental health first aid guidelines lack specific workplace adaptations.
• A Delphi consensus study aimed to develop tailored guidelines for workplace mental health first aid.

Framework:

• A systematic literature and web search identified 246 potential actions for workplace mental health first aid.
• Expert panels (consumers, managers, mental health professionals) rated items over three rounds.
• 201 items were agreed upon as important or very important for inclusion in the guidelines.

Implementation:

• The Delphi study involved 87 experts from English-speaking countries.
• A 61.7% retention rate was achieved across the three consensus rounds.
• Guidelines address approaching coworkers, offering support, and managing crises.

Implications:

• The developed guidelines provide practical strategies for employees and managers concerned about a colleague's mental well-being.
• These guidelines will inform the adaptation of Mental Health First Aid training for workplace settings.
• The findings may influence organizational policies and procedures to better support employee mental health.