Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to support the delivery of mental health first aid in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for the Health and Safety (First-Aid Regulations) 1981 which require employers to provide first aid to employees who are injured or become ill at work.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations are designed to help individuals who require immediate intervention or support where necessary until professional emergency care arrives. They require employers to consider mental health alongside physical health when undertaking a first aid needs assessment.

An employer’s assessment of first aid needs requires a risk based approach and should consider whether training employees in mental health first aid is necessary in their workplace.