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Real Journeys from Real People
- Adrian Thomas
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
Maria's Story: When Mental Health First Aid Skills Save Lives
Sometimes Mental Health First Aid training gives you more than skills - it gives you the confidence to step up when someone's life depends on it.
The Email No One Wants to Receive
Maria had always been passionate about workplace wellbeing. As Head of International Sales at a leading book wholesaler, she already had experience as a physical first aider. But when she completed her Mental Health First Aid training, she had no idea how crucial those skills would soon become.
One evening, Maria received an email that changed everything - a colleague reaching out from their personal email address, saying they were having suicidal thoughts and asking if the company could help them. As the designated Mental Health First Aider, this crisis landed directly on her desk.
Fear Transformed into Action
"I was kind of a bit scared before I did it,"* Maria admits honestly. "I wasn't sure what obviously I would be going into so I kind of prepared for it with all the standard questions as well... just kind of to understand whether we should be maybe mentioning it to someone, you know, calling 999."
Despite her initial nerves, something remarkable happened - her training kicked in.
The ALGEE Framework in Real Crisis
Maria arranged to meet with her colleague, who was going through the incredibly difficult time.
He was dealing with grief and he was struggling to support his unwell mother while dealing with his own mild depression.
"I think I've used ALGEE there," Maria reflects. "It's hard because you don't think about it when you're having these conversations, but you know the kind of approach... in the first place and then listen to what he was saying and why he felt the way he felt."
Maria provided him with resources, emergency contact numbers, and most importantly - ongoing support. They now meet every other week, and he's doing much better.
The Confidence That Changes Everything
When asked how this situation might have gone without her MHFA training, Maria's response is striking: "I don't think I would actually even be able to commit to having that conversation with someone before training because I would feel like I'm not kind of [able]..I haven't got any of the skills or any knowledge to be able to talk to somebody who's in that position."*
The training gave her the confidence to step up when it mattered most. "It's made a huge difference I think and has had a huge impact on my confidence."
Beyond Crisis: Everyday Mental Health Support
Maria's impact extends far beyond crisis situations. She's had numerous informal conversations with colleagues struggling with work pressure, relationship issues, and stress. Sometimes, people just need someone to listen.
"He was really appreciative, and I always check on him, and he always says he's fine," Maria shares about another colleague. "Sometimes people just need to talk in that moment rather than ongoing support."
Creating Organizational Change
Maria's influence has rippled throughout her organisation. She's become a powerful advocate for mental health training:
"I think that all managers should be mental health trained... anyone who's looking after staff and have staff reporting to them should really have at least a basic training."
The results speak for themselves - her company has since:
- Trained additional Mental Health First Aiders
- Implemented new policies around harassment and bullying
- Signed up for comprehensive management training
The Personal Reward
For Maria, the most fulfilling aspect has been "the ability to help someone... especially that guy who really would probably have struggled... it was nice to be able to make a change, and he said he really appreciated it, and it's helped him."
The Hidden Reality
Maria's experience opened her eyes to something many organisations don't realise: "It became quite obvious how many people do struggle, and you know we don't often realise, and you wouldn't know looking at the people that they are struggling."
Mental health challenges are often invisible, but the impact of having trained Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace can be life-saving.
Practical Tools That Work
Maria continues to reference her training materials regularly: "I refer to the book quite a lot as well, which I wasn't sure if I ever would, but yeah, since obviously I... Since we did it, I have been referring to it quite a lot."*
This shows that MHFA training isn't just a one-time event - it provides ongoing resources that continue to support both the trained individual and those they help.
Maria's story demonstrates that Mental Health First Aid training doesn't just give you skills - it gives you the confidence to use them when lives are literally on the line. Without her training, a colleague in crisis might not have received the support that helped turn his life around.
Why This Matters for Your Organization
Maria's experience highlights several crucial points:
**🎯 Confidence is Key**: Training transforms fear into action when someone needs help most
**🔧 Practical Tools Work**: The ALGEE framework and other MHFA tools are effective in real-world situations
**🌊 Ripple Effect**: One trained person can influence entire organizational culture and policies
**👁️ Hidden Struggles**: Mental health challenges are often invisible - trained staff can spot the signs
**📈 Ongoing Value**: Training materials continue to be valuable resources long after the course
**💼 Business Impact**: Companies see reduced absence, improved wellbeing, and better retention
Ready to Make a Difference?
Every organisation needs people like Maria - individuals with the confidence, skills, and compassion to step up when colleagues are struggling. Mental Health First Aid training creates these workplace champions.
Whether you're considering training for yourself or your team, Maria's story shows the profound impact that proper mental health education can have - not just on individual lives, but on entire workplace cultures.
*Maria's story is shared with her permission and demonstrates the real-world impact of Mental Health First Aid training. Every person we train has the potential to save a life, support a colleague, or transform a workplace culture.
Ready to become a Mental Health First Aider like Maria?
Contact us to discuss training options for you or your organisation:
📞 07584 906 061
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