MENTAL HEALTH PEER FIRST AID AT WORK — PART 3
Supporting Safely & What Happens Next
When somebody opens up at work, the next step matters. A peer supporter may be trusted with anxiety, depression, grief, overwhelm, difficulties at home, workplace pressure or, sometimes, concerns about self-harm or suicide.
Part 3 of the Mental Health Peer First Aid at Work series explores how to remain supportive without becoming responsible for another person’s entire recovery.
The guide looks at boundaries, confidentiality and its limits, signposting in a way that feels human, workplace adjustments, follow-up and recognising when a situation needs additional or urgent help. It also discusses suicide concerns and why workplaces need clear escalation routes before a crisis happens.
A major part of this resource is the question that can easily be forgotten: who supports the supporter? Peer first aiders need protected time, reflective support, clear boundaries and permission to step back when their own capacity is low.
Mental Health Peer First Aid works best when it connects people rather than creating dependence. The peer supporter does not have to fix everything. Their role may simply be to listen, help identify the next safe step and make it easier for the person to reach the right support.
This completes the three-part series:
Part 1 — Setting It Up
Part 2 — Noticing, Listening & Understanding
Part 3 — Supporting Safely & What Happens Next
Space to Breathe Therapy
Support • Understand • Belong
