Course Overview

Equip Your Organisation to Lead a Culture of Wellbeing

In a world where stress, burnout and poor mental health are on the rise, ticking a box with reactive training isn’t enough. What organisations need is a proactive, ongoing solution that embeds mental wellbeing into the DNA of the workplace. That’s where our Mental Health Champions (MHC) programme comes in.

Delivered globally by International Wellbeing Insights, MHC is a strategic, preventative approach that empowers selected employees to become advocates and champions for positive mental health within their teams. These individuals are not therapists—but they are trained to recognise early signs of distress, start supportive conversations, and connect colleagues with the right resources before things escalate.

This is more than a one-off course. It’s a culture shift.

Why Choose Mental Health Champions?

Unlike traditional Mental Health First Aid models, which often focus on crisis response, MHC is about prevention, culture, and practical action. Our programme ensures champions stay supported, skilled, and engaged—so the impact lasts.

Organisations like Mars, Philips and Avetta have chosen to deploy our MHC Programme to help build emotionally resilient, inclusive workplaces that support wellbeing at every level.

Here’s how it works:

We identify and train selected employees to become Mental Health Champions—visible, approachable advocates who can:

• Spot the early warning signs before crisis hits
• Have the difficult conversations with confidence and compassion
• Connect colleagues to help through the right channels
• Create psychological safety where people feel supported, not judged

The result? Problems get addressed early. People feel genuinely supported. Your culture shifts from reactive to protective.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Proactive, Preventative Training
  Focuses on early intervention and long-term cultural change—not just reacting to crises.
• Real-Life, Practical Tools
  Champions learn to use frameworks like our Wellbeing GPS, the Bridge Analogy and the H.A.R.D. communication model to support real conversations and decisions.
• Ongoing Support and Supervision
  Champions receive monthly check-ins, skills refreshers, and regional or global debriefs to keep their confidence and competence sharp.
• Global Support and Regional Knowledge in Key Geographics
  Our Programmes have been delivered globally, and we have trained champions in every inhabited continent on the planet!  The programme has been delivered in multiple languages including English, Spanish, German, Dutch, and Portuguese, and with many other languages available —our programme is culturally adaptable and globally trusted.
• Customisable for Your Needs
  We tailor content to reflect your organisation’s structure, sector, and culture.
• Embedded Support
  Champions are trained to promote your internal support pathways (e.g. EAP), ensuring people access help early and often.

Real Results from Real People

With approx 150,000 associates globally, Mars needed a scalable, culturally sensitive solution to build a mentally healthy workforce. We partnered with them to deliver MHC training, ongoing supervision, and bespoke regional adaptations aligned with their “Be Well Together” framework. The results? Improved team cohesion, stronger wellbeing leadership, and a growing community of empowered Champions.

What Our Clients Say
“The programme didn’t just teach us about mental health—it changed how we talk to each other. Our team feels more connected and supported than ever.”
— Team Manager, Avetta
“I use what I learned with my direct reports, my peers, even my family. It’s genuinely life-changing.”
— Senior Leader, Philips
“The IWI team took time to understand our culture and challenges. The programme felt built for us, not just adapted.”
— Wellbeing Lead, Mars
Why Mental Health Champions Succeeds Where Others Fail

• Traditional training says: “Here’s what mental illness looks like”
• Mental Health Champions says: “Here’s how to build resilience and catch problems early”

• Traditional training: One-and-done sessions with no follow-up
• Mental Health Champions: Ongoing supervision, refreshers, and peer support networks

• Traditional training: Generic, one-size-fits-all content
• Mental Health Champions: Customised to your industry, culture, and existing support systems

• Traditional training: Focuses on individual intervention
• Mental Health Champions: Builds systematic culture change

What Your Champions Will Master

Our proven methodology includes:

• The Wellbeing GPS – Navigate any mental health conversation with confidence
• The Bridge Analogy – Help colleagues move from struggle to support
• H.A.R.D. Conversations – Handle difficult discussions with empathy and skill
• Strategic Signposting – Connect people to the right help at the right time

Plus our signature I.D.E.A.L.S. Methodology:

• Identify the early indicators of risk or mental ill-health
• Develop a connection
• Engage in conversation: ask the right questions
• Actively encourage them to be open about how they’re feeling
• Listen empathetically and without judgement
• Safeguard, signpost and support to relevant professional help and resources

All through an engaging, practical, and reflective learning experience.

Plus: Monthly meetings and ongoing support and supervision ensures your Champions stay confident and effective long after training ends.
The Numbers Don’t Lie

Organisations using Mental Health Champions report:

• 43% reduction in mental health-related absences
• 67% increase in EAP utilisation (people actually getting help)
• 85% of Champions feel confident supporting colleagues after 6 months
• 91% of participants would recommend the programme to other organisations

ROI typically ranges from 300-500% within the first year.
Your Programme, Your Way

We offer delivery models that work for organisations of all sizes, including:

• Virtual, in-person, or blended – Whatever works for your team
• Global rollouts – Adapted for different cultures and languages
• Any sector, any size – From SMEs to multinational corporations
• Integration into existing wellbeing frameworks
• Optional follow-up support and supervision sessions
• Pre-recorded content for flexible learning (ideal for education institutions)

Demonstrating Impact

We don’t just train—we measure. Key metrics we track with our clients include:

• Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism
• Increased EAP engagement
• Greater psychological safety
• Higher staff retention and satisfaction
• Champion confidence and peer intervention rates

Our customised reporting tools allow you to clearly track the ROI and long-term benefits of your MHC programme.

How It Works: Structure & Format

Core Programme: The Mental Health Champions programme runs across four engaging sessions over 1-4 weeks, each lasting 2.5 hours, delivered virtually or in person. These sessions are interactive, reflective, and filled with practical application opportunities delivered by trained stress management and wellbeing professionals.

Here’s What Happens Next

• Week 1-2: We assess your current mental health landscape and customise the programme
• Week 3: Launch with your selected Champions cohort
• Weeks 4-15: Deliver core training with practical application between sessions
• Month 4+: Ongoing supervision and culture integration support
• Within 6 months: You’ll have a network of confident, skilled Champions driving positive change across your organisation.

Stop Waiting for Mental Health Crises

Every week you delay, more of your people are struggling in silence. But every Champion you train becomes a beacon of hope—someone who can spot problems early, offer genuine support, and help create the psychologically safe workplace your people deserve.

Ready to Embed a Culture of Care?

• Book a free discovery call: Let’s discuss your specific needs +44(0)20 3142 8659
• Email us directly: info@stress.org.uk

Your people are your greatest asset. Isn’t it time you gave them the support they deserve?

Mars has almost 150,000 associates, Philips has approx 70,000 worldwide. If Mental Health Champions can work for them, imagine what it could do for your organisation