EFA-Emotional First Aid

What if training staff to support emotional wellbeing could significantly reduce sickness absence?

Recent sector data shows how big the challenge is. Research analysing sickness absence across England’s social care workforce found that around 30% of sickness absence days are linked to mental health and stress.

Read more from The British Psychological Society:
https://www.bps.org.uk/news/one-third-social-care-workforce-sickness-absence-due-mental-health-and-stress-troubling-new

Data from the NHS workforce shows a very similar pattern, with 30.9% of absence days attributed to anxiety, stress, depression or other psychiatric illness.

NHS sickness absence statistics (August 2025):
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-sickness-absence-rates/august-2025

At YLOH, a social care provider within the Mavam Group, we have been taking a proactive approach. Over the past two years we have rolled out Emotional First Aid (EFA) training to more than 90% of our workforce, across both frontline and management roles.

Our internal workforce data shows that 10.1% of sickness absence days were linked to emotional wellbeing factors between November 2024 and November 2025.

This is approximately 66% lower than sector estimates.
Many factors influence workforce wellbeing, and there is rarely a single explanation for outcomes like this. However, this analysis provides an encouraging indication that building emotional awareness and practical support skills across teams may play an important role in supporting staff wellbeing.

We are continuing to develop emotionally aware workplaces and equip colleagues with the tools to recognise, respond to and manage emotional challenges at work.

We’re expanding our range of proactive, preventative workplace wellbeing learning resources.

Work-related stress, depression and anxiety are the most common form of work-related ill health in the UK and account for the largest proportion of working days lost (Health and Safety Executive). The HSE is clear: employers have a responsibility to take a preventative and proactive approach to wellbeing in the workplace.

Our self-care focused learning resources combine evidence from psychology and neuroscience with real-world insight from people with lived experience. We support everyone in the workplace, from leaders to frontline staff, to build cultures that enhance wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and improve performance.

We deliver face-to-face and online training across the UK.

👉 Swipe through to explore our Emotional First Aid learning resources
👉 Visit our website to learn more: https://emotional-firstaid.co.uk/efa-learning-resources-courses/
👉 Or get in touch to discuss your organisation’s needs: [email protected] | 0800 4647 681 |DM us on LinkedIn

Emotional First Aid, When Work Feels Too Much:

Overwhelm can creep in when demands pile up. This quick emotional first aid check-in will help you slow down, reflect, and take small steps towards feeling better.

As the run-up to the festive period gathers pace, emotions can arrive in unexpected combinations.

Alongside warmth and anticipation, there may also be strain, tiredness, or old feelings resurfacing.

If that’s happening for you, here’s a gentle reminder:
there is no “right” way to feel at this time of year.

Amid caring for others and getting things organised, what might it be like to pause and offer yourself a little care, without needing to earn it?

If you’re looking for something steady and supportive, Emotional First Aid may be a helpful place to start.

www.emotional-firstaid.co.uk

This is your gentle reminder.
You’re allowed to take this moment for yourself.

In busy workplaces, emotional strain often goes unnoticed.

Stress, overwhelm and exhaustion do not always show, but they still need care.

In our Emotional First Aid training, we explore how to lift the torch to see what is really going on, use your compass with curiosity, compassion and creativity, and navigate your own life landscape with greater awareness and confidence.

Looking after yourself is part of looking after others.
With Emotional First aid the First Aid is for you.

For more information on Emotional First Aid, please visit
www.emotional-firstaid.co.uk

Mike Buckley Emotional First Aid:

A Passion for Lifelong Learning

Website: mikebuckley.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Therapy training website: eaih.org
Email: [email protected]