Mental health challenges are reaching unprecedented levels within the UK workforce. Recent statistics reveal that 875,000 workers were reportedly suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022-2023 alone.
These numbers paint a clear picture: mental well-being is no longer something we can afford to overlook. The demands of the workplace and the stresses of daily life make it imperative that we take proactive measures to protect our mental health.
To celebrate World Mental Health Day, we’ve gathered a list of free mental health training courses that provide valuable knowledge on mental health topics that could help not only yourself, but also the people around you.
The Science of Well-Being (Coursera)
Taught by Yale University professor Laurie Santos, this course is one of the most popular and highly rated personal development courses on Coursera. It explores the scientific intricacies of happiness, offering participants a profound understanding of what it truly means to lead a fulfilling life. The course includes interactive assignments designed to improve well-being and reduce stress in your daily life.
What You’ll Learn: The psychological factors contributing to happiness, how to build productive habits, and how to combat stress with mindfulness and positive actions.
Emotional Intelligence at Work (Future Learn)
Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in mental health and workplace dynamics. This course, delivered by Coventry University, helps individuals develop emotional intelligence to better manage workplace relationships and stress. It focuses on improving self-awareness, emotional regulation, and relationship management, which are key to creating a positive work environment.
What You’ll Learn: How to recognise and manage your emotions, enhance your social awareness, and build better relationships at work, all of which contribute to a healthier workplace environment.
Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health (Harvard via EdX)
Led by Harvard Medical School faculty Dr. Luana Marques, the course focuses on building personal resilience in the face of anxiety and mental health challenges. It equips learners with tools and techniques to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance mental well-being.
What You’ll Learn: Scientifically proven skills to improve your resilience and mental health, methods for managing anxiety, and strategies for maintaining mental health during challenging times.
Anger Management and Conflict Resolution (Alison)
This Alison course equips learners with essential skills to manage anger and handle conflicts constructively in various contexts, including personal and professional settings. Students will learn practical strategies to regulate emotions, effectively resolve disputes, and mitigate stress, fostering healthier relationships and environments.
What You’ll Learn: Learn techniques to control anger, manage emotional responses, and approach conflicts with a problem-solving mindset, improving mental well-being and reducing workplace stress.
Psychological First Aid (Coursera)
This free training course, offered by Johns Hopkins University, introduces the concept of psychological first aid, a critical skill in supporting people who are going through a mental health crisis.
The course highlights the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment, Prioritisation, Intervention, and Disposition), a proven method to support mental well-being in emergency situations, and how you can use it in emergency situations.
What You’ll Learn: Learn how to offer emotional support in moments of crisis, understand psychological first aid principles, and develop skills to assist individuals facing trauma or acute stress.
Mental health plays a central role in living a fulfilling and balanced life. As #WorldMentalHealthDay draws near, these mental health training courses provide an excellent chance to invest in your well-being.
Taking these courses not only offer insights into managing mental health and upskills you – you’re also taking an important step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
