St John Ambulance, England’s leading first aid charity, has declared 2025 the “year of holistic workplace health,” and is calling on businesses to update their approaches to first aid.
The charity warns that companies relying solely on traditional methods are failing to meet the growing health needs of their workforce, particularly in terms of mental wellbeing.
As the new year begins, St John Ambulance stresses that workplace first aid must evolve beyond addressing physical injuries to include mental health support. The call for a more integrated approach comes in response to statistics showing the significant impact of mental health issues in the workplace.
‘Urgent Need’ for New Strategy
Between 2023 and 2024, 33.7 million working days were lost due to workplace injury or illness. Of those, nearly half—16.4 million—were attributed to stress, depression or anxiety. With such a high proportion of workdays lost to mental health issues, St John Ambulance says there is an urgent need for employers to adopt a more comprehensive strategy that includes both physical and mental health first aid.
Lisa Sharman, head of education and commercial training at St John Ambulance, said unless firms overhaul their first aid programs, they risked not looking after their staff properly.
“Workplaces that do not upgrade their approach to first aid to incorporate mental health first aid, and a focus on mental wellbeing, are in significant danger of failing to provide holistic care for their employees,” she said.
The charity advocates for an approach that integrates mental health first aid alongside traditional physical first aid. Mental health first aid focuses on identifying and responding to signs of mental health crises, providing initial support, and guiding individuals to professional help when necessary. Mental wellbeing is centred around proactive measures such as stress management and creating a supportive work environment that promotes good mental health.
Holistic First Aid
“Mental and physical health are deeply interconnected,” Sharman said. “The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years, health requirements are evolving, and people’s expectations of their employer have shifted. A holistic workplace first aid strategy incorporates physical health interventions, mental health support, preventative training, and wellness programmes.”
The economic cost of workplace illness continues to rise. In 2022-2023, businesses across England faced a £21.6 billion cost due to workplace injury and illness, with £7.1 billion attributed to injuries and more than double that amount—£14.5 billion—due to ill health. St John Ambulance emphasises the long-term benefits of providnig a comprehensive first aid strategy that addresses both physical and mental health needs.
“By investing in holistic health approaches, organisations can reduce incidents, build more resilient teams, and improve overall productivity,” Sharman added.
Comprehensive First Aid Training
St John Ambulance offers a range of physical and mental health first aid courses tailored to the needs of businesses. These include First Aid and Emergency First Aid at Work, as well as Mental Health First Aid training, which helps employees recognise and respond to mental health issues. The charity’s courses are highly regarded, with over 40,000 reviews from organisations rating them 4.9 out of 5.
Employers are legally required to ensure their employees work in a safe environment and must take reasonable steps to prevent both physical and mental harm. St John Ambulance recommends that businesses update their first aid provisions in line with the latest guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure they are meeting their legal obligations.
St John Ambulance’s call comes as companies are increasingly recognising the importance of employee wellbeing. By taking a more holistic approach to workplace health, businesses can contribute to the long-term success of their organisation while protecting the health and welfare of their employees.
