There was a time when mental health and wellbeing training in the workplace was considered a nice-to-have. Today, it is a strategic priority. For HR Directors, L&D Managers, and Training Coordinators in fast-changing, hybrid organisations, the link between wellbeing and performance is clearer than ever. Staff are asking for more. Senior leaders are paying attention. And data is proving the return on investment.
At GBS Corporate, we work with organisations across sectors to deliver wellbeing and mental health training accredited by Mental Health England that drives culture, performance, and retention. This article explores why it is now a business necessity, what to look for in a high-impact programme, and how training can unlock measurable results at every level of the business.
Why Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Tops the Corporate Agenda
Work-related stress, burnout, and mental health issues are now among the leading causes of absence in UK organisations. Hybrid work has brought flexibility but also isolation. Economic pressures, restructuring, and rising expectations are pushing staff and managers to the limit.
Meanwhile, employee expectations have changed. Particularly among younger generations, mental health support is now a deciding factor in retention and engagement. The absence of wellbeing training is no longer neutral, it is a liability.
Mental health has moved from an HR silo to a board-level concern. Forward-thinking companies now recognise that wellbeing is not about crisis management. It is about proactive, preventative capability-building that protects both people and performance.
The Business Case – From Ethical Investment to Strategic Advantage
According to Deloitte, poor mental health costs UK employers up to £56 billion per year. Absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover account for the majority of that figure.
Yet for every £1 invested in mental health interventions, the average return is £4.70. That is not just an ethical case, it is a financial one.
At GBS Corporate, we support clients to build structured training programmes that measurably improve:
- Employee engagement scores
- Manager wellbeing confidence
- Absenteeism and staff churn
Better Line Management and Leadership
Middle managers are under pressure. They are the frontline of wellbeing, yet often feel unprepared to support their teams while managing their own workload.
Training makes the difference. Our clients report significant improvement in:
- Manager confidence in spotting distress
- Communication and trust within teams
- Reduced escalation to HR or burnout-related exits
Wellbeing training equips managers with tools, language, and boundaries that protect both their teams and themselves.
Hybrid Culture, Productivity, and Resilience
In hybrid and dispersed workplaces, culture must travel. Mental health training creates consistent values, shared behaviours, and psychologically safe spaces wherever staff are based.
Teams that have been trained in wellbeing principles recover faster from setbacks, adapt to change more easily, and perform more sustainably under pressure.
Want to boost resilience and retention through wellbeing training?
GBS Corporate delivers MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) by Mental Health England, designed for modern teams and real-world leadership challenges.
Flexible delivery. Measurable outcomes. Trusted by national and global organisations.
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