Free Mental Health First Aid training for Lancashire businesses

Lancashire Mind supports employers for a seventh year with funded Mental Health First Aid training.

As rising costs continue to impact businesses across Lancashire, Lancashire Mind are helping employers invest in workplace wellbeing without adding to financial pressures.

For the seventh consecutive year, we are offering fully funded Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, giving organisations the skills and confidence to support employee mental health at no cost.

Having already trained more than 9,000 people, Lancashire Mind aims to equip a further 1,500 Mental Health First Aiders this year, helping businesses reduce absence, build resilience and create healthier workplaces across the county.

Navigating challenges and difficult decisions

Across Lancashire, businesses are navigating one of the most challenging economic periods in recent memory. Rising operational costs, supply chain pressures and ongoing uncertainty are forcing organisations to make difficult decisions about where to invest their limited resources.

Yet amid these pressures, one area of support remains both accessible and increasingly essential: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.

At Lancashire Mind, we know the strain businesses are under. With 56% of UK SMEs reporting rising costs as a major challenge, and 44% of trading businesses facing increased import/export costs, the financial landscape is tough. But we also know that mental health cannot be deprioritised – because the cost of not acting is far greater.

The reality: workplace mental health is at a crisis point

Right now, 964,000 workers across the UK are experiencing work‑related stress, depression or anxiety – the highest level ever recorded. Mental ill health is now the leading cause of long‑term absence, accounting for 41% of all cases.

Nearly half of HR leaders (47%) say mental health is one of the biggest drivers of long‑term absence in their organisation. And with only 45% of managers having received any training to support staff wellbeing, many employees simply aren’t getting the help they need early enough.

This is where Mental Health First Aiders make a measurable difference.

Why MHFA training is no longer optional

When businesses lack trained Mental Health First Aiders, they often see:

• Increased long‑term sickness absence
• Higher staff turnover
• Reduced productivity and engagement

Even a single long‑term absence can cost an organisation thousands in lost output, recruitment and additional staffing pressures. Mental Health First Aiders help bridge this gap. They provide early support, spot signs of distress sooner, and signpost colleagues to appropriate help before issues escalate. In short, they strengthen the wellbeing infrastructure of a workplace – and that strengthens the business itself.

Our commitment: fully funded MHFA training for the seventh year running

Despite the financial pressures businesses are facing, Lancashire Mind remains committed to ensuring that mental health support is accessible to all. That’s why we are proud to be entering our seventh year of offering fully funded Adult Mental Health First Aid training to organisations across the county.

To date, we have trained over 9,000 people through fully funded training, and this year we plan to train a further 1,500. With MHFA training typically costing around £400 per person, this represents a significant saving for businesses – and removes a major barrier to accessing high‑quality mental health support.

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Why we do this

Lancashire Mind’s mission is simple: To ensure as many workplaces as possible feel confident and capable of supporting mental health.

As financial pressures continue, we know that many organisations are having to make tough choices. But we also know that investing in mental health is not a luxury – it is a necessity.

“By offering Mental Health First Aid training for fully funded, we’re helping organisations protect both their people and their performance.” (Emma Bateson, Head of External Relations at Lancashire Mind)

With more than 12 years’ experience delivering mental health training and partnerships with over 1,000 businesses, we’ve seen first‑hand the difference that trained Mental Health First Aiders make. Not just to individuals, but to entire teams and organisational cultures.

Statistic sources:
fsb.org.uk
ONS 2026
mentalhealthfirstaidcourse.co.uk
ifamagazine.com

A unique opportunity for Lancashire businesses

In a challenging economic climate, the ability to access free, high‑quality Mental Health First Aid training is a rare and valuable opportunity.

By taking part, businesses can:

• Reduce risk by addressing issues early
• Improve wellbeing across teams
• Build resilience into their workforce
• Strengthen productivity and performance

This is not just about compliance or ticking a wellbeing box. It’s about creating workplaces where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. Even in difficult times.