Free Mental Health First Aid Poster
Downloadable and Printable Mental Health First Aid Poster
Mental health can affect anyone at any time. You do not need to be an expert to help.
Small, calm conversations can make a real difference. Our free mental health first aid poster provides clear and simple tips to help people respond effectively to a mental health emergency.
It’s suitable for display in workplaces, helping to raise awareness of mental health and place greater emphasis on employee wellbeing. Each poster is printable and available to download.
Our free mental health first aid poster follows recognised mental health guidance and reflects principles promoted by Mental Health First Aid England.
Download Your Free Mental Health First Aid Poster
This free, printable mental health first aid poster provides easy-to-follow tips on providing mental health support in the workplace.
📄 Print-friendly PDF format📍 Recommended for A4 or A3 printing 🏢 Suitable for workplace display
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised training-based approach that teaches individuals to recognise the early warning signs of poor mental health and common mental health problems.
The focus is on recognising signs, providing initial support and signposting individuals towards professional support or resources.
What is a Mental Health First Aider?
A Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider) is someone who has completed a recognised training course, such as a Mental Health at Work course.
Many workplaces appoint dedicated Mental Health First Aiders to act as a first line of support to employees who may be struggling with their mental health.
How to Provide Mental Health First Aid Support??
Remember, Mental Health First Aiders are not therapists or psychologists. Their role is to provide early support to employees struggling with their mental health and to guide them towards professional support if required.
At First Aid Safety, we run a range of high-quality, regulated mental health training courses, from Level 1 Mental Health Awareness to the comprehensive Level 3 Award in Mental Health at Work. Our trainers have decades of combined experience delivering mental health first aid training courses.
This poster and guidance have been developed by our mental health first aid training team to help raise awareness of mental illness in the workplace and promote better employee wellbeing.
Small Signs Matter
A change in mood, behaviour, appearance or communication may be someone’s way of showing they are not coping.
Look out for changes that feel unusual for that person, such as:
Becoming withdrawn, quiet or disconnected
Seeming overwhelmed, tearful, irritable or unusually anxious
Changes in sleep, appetite, appearance or energy
Loss of interest in work, hobbies or social contact
Drop in performance, concentration or reliability
Increased use of alcohol or other substances
Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless or like a burden
Not every sign means there is a mental health problem, but a noticeable change is worth checking in on.
Start the Conversation
Choose a quiet moment and keep it simple.
Helpful things to say include:
“I’ve noticed you don’t seem quite yourself. How are you really?”
“I’m here if you want to talk.”
“I’m glad you told me.”
“That sounds really difficult.”
“What would help right now?”
“Would you like me to stay with you or help you find support?”
“You do not have to deal with this on your own.”
Listen more than you speak. Avoid rushing to fix the problem. Give them time, let the silence breathe, and take what they say seriously.
Helpful Things to Do
Stay calm and patient
Use open questions
Listen without judgement
Offer practical support, such as helping them find information or make an appointment
Try to Avoid
Saying “just cheer up” or “others have it worse”
Interrupting or turning the conversation back to yourself
Pressuring them to explain everything
Promising to keep the serious risk a secret
Diagnosing, blaming or giving quick-fix advice
Remember: You Do Not Need to Fix Everything
Your role is to notice, listen, support and help the person connect with appropriate help.
You are not there to diagnose, counsel or solve every problem.
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is stay calm, listen properly and help the person take the next safe step.
Let Them Know ‘Support is Available’
Reassure them that support is available. Encourage them to speak to a GP, mental health professional, trusted manager, HR, a friend or family member
Check in Again
Check in again later, even if the first conversation is brief. A simple follow-up message or quiet conversation later can help someone feel less alone.
When It May Be Urgent
Get urgent help if someone:
Talks about suicide, self-harm, or not wanting to be here
Seems unable to stay safe
Is extremely distressed, confused or at immediate risk
Has harmed themselves or someone else
If there is immediate danger or risk to life, call 999 or go to A&E.
For urgent mental health help in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Where to Look for Help
For non-urgent support, speak to a GP, NHS Talking Therapies, a mental health charity, workplace wellbeing contact, HR, or an Employee Assistance Programme if available.
Free support is also available from:
Samaritans: call 116 123 for free, 24/7 listening support
SHOUT: text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential text support
NHS 111: call 111 and select the mental health option for urgent mental health help in England
999: call if someone is in immediate danger or there is a risk to life
At work, support may also be available through:
Your manager
HR
Mental Health First Aider
Wellbeing Lead
Employee Assistance Programme
Occupational health provider
Remember: You Do Not Have to Have All the Answers
Being kind, listening properly and helping someone connect with the right support can be enough to start the turning point.
Why Mental Health First Aid Posters Alone Are Not Enough
Mental health first aid posters are crucial for raising mental health awareness. They provide simple steps for employees to follow and help identify early warning signs of poor mental health.
However, they cannot and should not replace mental health first aid training.
Hands-on mental health training provides employees with the tools and skills they need to effectively recognise a wide range of subtle warning signs, provide immediate, compassionate first-line support and help employees access professional assistance.
The team at First Aid Safety delivers in-house mental health first aid training across London and the UK.
Looking for In-House Mental Health First Aid Training?
The First Aid Safety team delivers expert in-house mental health first aid training at your workplace in London and across the UK.
We offer a range of regulated, HSE-compliant mental health first aid courses which are accredited by Qualifications Network UK, including:
Our comprehensive nationwide network of mental health first-aid training instructors can deliver tailored training to your staff at a time and place that works for you.
Mental Health First Aid Poster FAQs
A mental health first aid poster is a visual reference poster that can be displayed in workplaces, schools and public spaces. It’s designed to raise awareness around mental health issues and provide quick guidance on how to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
First aid posters aim to provide highly accessible, at-a-glance information, but they are not a replacement for mental health first aid training or professional mental health support.
A mental health first aid poster can support employee wellbeing and mental health by:
Breaking the stigma around mental illnesses, putting mental health first aid on the same level as physical first aid.
Normalising help-seeking behaviour and promoting a more open, accepting and inclusive work environment.
Promoting early intervention and helping employees recognise the early warning signs of poor mental health, both in themselves and others.
No, UK workplaces are not legally required to display mental health first aid posters. While having at least one dedicated mental health first aider and displaying mental health first aid posters are considered best practice, it is not legally mandated.
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal duty of care to protect employees from both physical and psychological harm. Many organisations choose to appoint Mental Health First Aiders and display mental health first aid posters as part of their wider wellbeing strategy.
Yes. Our poster is print-ready in PDF format. A4 or A3 paper is recommended for maximum visibility.
This mental health first aid poster should be displayed in a prominent and visible location, such as:
High-risk electrical zones, such as plant rooms, electrical test areas or substations
Near first aid kits and AEDs
Communal employee areas, such as
Staff rooms
Break rooms
Kitchens and dining areas
High traffic areas, such as:
Reception areas
Hallways
Display your mental health first aid poster somewhere all employees can access it and ensure it’s mounted at eye level so that the information is easy to read.
