Together we can change lives
Introducing Workplace Training from The Oli Leigh Trust
The scale of the mental health crisis in the UK is unprecedented. The latest data from The Office for National Statistics shows that in 2025, 5,728 people took their own lives – an average of 110 people every week.
The impact of these deaths is far reaching, profound and long-lasting, not only for families and friends, but for work colleagues and communities.
Our new Workplace Training programme has been developed in partnership with The Inspirational Learning Group to provide people with a better understanding of the risks of suicide and the tools to be able to help and support colleagues in the workplace as well as their friends, families and communities.
Introducing The Oli Leigh Trust Workplace Training Programme
This programme will help you to recognise the signs when a colleague or loved one is struggling with their mental health and can act accordingly to ensure that they receive the support and help that they need.
We must warn you that this programme includes references to mental health, depression and suicide which you may find difficult, but it is essential that we can talk about these topics openly if we are to address this crisis.
We hope that you will find the programme interesting as well as informative and that it will give you the confidence to speak up and support the people around you.
We genuinely believe that together we can change lives – and you have a part to play in this.
If, once you have completed the programme you want to speak to someone, a list of support services can be found here or you could speak to your HR manager, Safeguarding lead or a Mental Health First Aider.
Remember – there is always someone there to listen if you need to talk.
We are grateful to The Inspirational Learning Group, our training partner, for their work to develop this programme.
Get started on your own journey to greater awareness and understanding
Workplace Training Programme
The Oli Leigh Trust Workplace Training is an online interactive programme prepared to give organisations the opportunity to support their people to have a better understanding of mental health and suicide prevention.
The training programme has six modules which take you on a step-by-step journey to greater understanding of mental health and how you can support friends, family and colleagues in the workplace.
The programme uses a combination of videos and interactive exercises which will provide you with essential information and give you the chance to check your own understanding of the topics and information that will help you to make a difference to the lives of others.
At the end of the programme, you will be asked to check what you have learned and will receive a certificate to say you have completed the programme.
Module 1 – Introduction to Mental Health
The starting point for our training is to help you to understand what mental health is and why it matters.
It is introduced by Michelle Leigh, the founder of The Oli Leigh Trust, talks about her son Oli who took his life at the age of 16 in 2018.
You will learn some of the basic facts and figures around suicide in the UK and be introduced to the concept of the Mental Health Continuum which can help to identify, monitor and manage mental health changes over time and how it can be hard to spot the signs of poor mental health.
Module 2 –
Factors Affecting Mental Health
In this module you will consider the events that can trigger a mental health episode and the factors that can impact on our ability to deal with these events.
It includes advice about how important it is to talk about metal health struggles and how managers in the workplace have a key role to play, and how organisations should seek to build a supportive workplace culture where mental health is openly discussed and people feel comfortable seeking help.
In real life examples, an HR professional and senior manager provide real life perspectives and tell their own stories and you will be asked to consider a case study which presents a number of different scenarios around mental health struggles.
Module 3 –
Spotting the Signs
The signs that a friend or colleague is struggling are not always obvious and it is critically important that you learn what signs you should be looking out for.
This module focuses on recognising the signs that could indicate that someone is struggling with their mental health and gives advice on what you can do if you notice a colleague or friend is struggling.
Module 4 – Supporting Someone in Need
This module will help you to understand the difference between different types of state of mind and the steps you should take if you are supporting an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis and introduces the concept of ‘see, say and signpost’.
It provides advice on how important it is to be ready to talk about suicide and allow people he opportunity to open up and talk and the key attributes that you should demonstrate to provide support.
Module 5 – Signposting and Support
This module considers the steps you can take to signpost individuals to the appropriate support in the event of a mental health episode or crisis.
It is important to remember that it is not your responsibility to make the individual feel better, give them advice or to have all the answers, but you can listen, empathise and encourage them to seek help.
This module provides information about useful organisations and resources. Don’t forget - If you feel as though an individual is in immediate danger, call 999.
Module 6 –
Check What You Have Learned
Once you have completed the programme, you will be asked to complete a short quiz to check what you have learned and will receive a certificate once you have answered the questions correctly.
We hope that you will find this programme interesting and helpful and that you now feel better equipped to support your colleagues, friends and family.
If you have, then please tell your colleagues, friends and family about the programme and share the link to The Oli Leigh Trust so that they can understand what you now do.
Remember, at The Oli Leigh Trust we believe that together we really can change lives.