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<p>The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 already allow for the consideration
of mental health alongside physical health when undertaking a needs assessment. On
the 21<sup>st</sup> November 2018 the Health and Safety Executive published guidance
to clarify this point for employers.</p><p> </p><p>Key evidence reviews of the impact
of mental health-type training in a workplace environment show that there are a number
of knowledge gaps which mean it is not possible to say whether the training is effective
in improving the management of mental health in workplaces, or whether it is the only
effective mechanism for support. The research also identifies additional prevention
and management actions that employers should put in place to create a comprehensive
approach.</p><p> </p><p>In January 2017, the Prime Minister commissioned Lord Dennis
Stevenson and Paul Farmer, the Chief Executive of Mind, to conduct an independent
review into how employers can better support all employees, including those with mental
ill health or wellbeing, to remain in and thrive at work. “<em>Thriving at Work: The
Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health and employers</em> was published in October
2017.”</p><p> </p><p>In November 2017, the joint DWP/DHSC Work and Health Unit (WHU)
published “<em>Improving Lives: the Future of Work, Health and Disability” </em>setting
out plans for three key settings: welfare system, workplace and health system, and
also set out the Government’s response to “<em>Thriving at Work”</em>. This response
welcomed a key recommendation from the ‘Thriving at Work’ review for employers to
adopt a set of core mental health standards that will provide a comprehensive approach
to transforming mental health in the workplace. Government is committed to working
with the authors of the review and key stakeholders across the public, private and
voluntary sectors to ensure that employers of all sizes act to implement the core
and enhanced standards and help them, and their employees, realise the benefits of
healthy, inclusive workplaces.</p><p>Therefore, the Government’s view is that the
best way to secure employer action is to engage with employers on a voluntary basis
to implement the comprehensive mental health core standards approach rather than legislate
on a single issue.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>
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