Empower Mental Health Training & Consultancy

10/03/2026

“We don’t have the budget for mental health training.”

Liz hears this quite often. And it is understandable. Budgets are tight and there is always something that feels more urgent.

But many organisations already have a mental health budget. It just does not sit under that heading.

Long-term absence, burnout, recruitment, and lost productivity can cost thousands. When you look at your own data, the hidden cost often becomes clear.

Training a Mental Health First Aider usually costs around £300–£350.

Sometimes the real question is not whether the budget exists, but where it is already being spent.

You can read the full article here:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-already-have-mental-health-budget-youre-just-calling-liz-maughn-qz6de

If you are considering building confidence in your team, Liz is running her next 2-day MHFA course on 21 & 28 April (online).
Get in touch with Liz at info@empowermht.co.uk for find out more.

“We don’t have the budget for mental health training.” It’s one of the most common things I hear when speaking with organisations about workplace mental health.

19/02/2026

When did you last step away from your desk?

If you are close to Batsford Arboretum, why not join Liz for a netwalk?

Next Thursday, 26 February, Liz is hosting her monthly Wellbeing Netwalking session from 10:00 to 11:30.

It's a reflective space for women running creative and wellbeing businesses. No pitches, no pressure; just fresh air and meaningful conversations with others who understand the realities of running a business.

You will leave with clearer thinking, a fresh perspective and stronger support around you. Take some extra time for coffee and cake at the end, you'll have earned the treat.

If the end of the month feels heavy, this might be the reset you need before March begins.

Scan the code below, check the booking link in the comments, and look forward to a refreshing session.

17/02/2026

If you are a parent please read this!!

13/02/2026

What does good mental health awareness training look like in local government?

Liz has been delivering mental health awareness training in partnership with Oxfordshire Mind for county, district and parish councillors across Oxfordshire County Council.

The session focuses on practical, real-world skills:

◈ Looking after yourself first
◈ Spotting early signs of poor mental health
◈ Starting supportive conversations with confidence
◈ Knowing how and where to signpost residents to the right services

Councillors often deal with complex and emotional issues in their wards. Time is limited, and the demands can be high. This training acknowledges that reality and provides clear, usable guidance.

Councillor Rachel Crouch shared:
“Both informative and useful. I learnt a huge amount, from self-care through to signposting people in our wards to the correct services.”

If you are a councillor in Oxfordshire and would like to attend a future session, you can find booking information here:
https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/training/free-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-training/

If you would like to discuss similar training for your council or organisation, please get in touch.

23/01/2026

Did you check in with someone this week who seemed a bit off?

Sometimes, the smallest actions have the biggest impact.

During a recent training day, a participant realised they had been quietly supporting their colleagues without even recognising it. Simply asking someone, "How are you really?" and creating space for an honest answer can make such a positive difference in someone's day.

Those moments matter more than people realise.

Many people already notice when something isn't right. Training helps turn that concern into clear, practical action, so you feel confident about what to say and what to do next.

It's not about grand gestures or fixing everything. It's about knowing what to say next, where the conversation can go, and when to point someone towards proper support.

If you checked in with someone this week, that counts. If you asked again when they said they were "fine," that counts too.

If you want to build on that instinct with practical skills, I'm delivering Mental Health First Aid courses on 21 & 28 April or 30 September & 7 October. For more details visit www.empowermht.co.uk or email me at info@empowermht.co.uk.

What small win have you had this week?

22/01/2026

Most managers tell me the same thing: they genuinely want to support their team's mental health, but they're worried about getting it wrong.

That hesitation costs organisations more than people realise. Staff who need support wait longer. Minor concerns become bigger problems. Good people leave because they feel unsupported.

Here's what changes when managers have proper training:

◈ They recognise early warning signs before a crisis hits
◈ They know how to start conversations without fear
◈ They understand their role vs professional support
◈ They create environments where people ask for help sooner

Prevention isn't complicated. It's about giving people the confidence and structure to act early.

With over 40 years in social care and nearly 7 years in mental health training, I've seen what works. It's not about turning managers into therapists. It's about practical skills they can use the next day.

If your managers are guessing their way through mental health conversations, that's a gap you can fix.

My next 2-day MHFA courses run 21 & 28 April or 30 September & 7 October, online. See graphic for full details or book at www.empowermht.co.uk. Contact me at info@empowermht.co.uk if you want to discuss any specific requirements.

20/01/2026

Support vs Perks

Yoga classes and fruit bowls don't help someone who's struggling to get out of bed.

I'm not against wellbeing perks. But they're not mental health support.

Real support means staff know who to talk to, what happens next, and that they'll be taken seriously. That requires trained people, clear processes, and managers who won't avoid difficult conversations.

When organisations confuse perks with support, the gap shows up in absence rates, retention problems, and staff who cope alone until they can't anymore.

Effective mental health support has three components:
⁕ Training (so people recognise signs and know how to respond)
⁕ Clear policies (so staff understand the process)
⁕ Manager confidence (so conversations happen early, not in crisis)

I've been delivering MHFA training for nearly seven years, working with organisations to build prevention-focused support that actually works - not paper initiatives that leave people unsupported.

What does your organisation have in place beyond the perks?

My next 2-day MHFA courses run 21 & 28 April and 30 September & 7 October, both online. Details: www.empowermht.co.uk

14/01/2026

It’s National Dog Walking Month!
And yes… my first post of 2026 had to be about dogs.

Except this one isn’t really about dogs. It’s about walking and how that simple act can make such a difference to our mental well-being.

I haven’t actually walked a dog this year yet. I don’t have one of my own right now (though I still long to!). But I do borrow the lovely Winnie through BorrowMyDoggy. She stays over sometimes, bringing plenty of snuggles and muddy pawprints.

The thing is, if she were mine, I’d have been out walking even when I’ve felt under the weather or the rain’s been relentless. That responsibility to show up, move, breathe, and connect, is what I think makes dogs so good for our mental health.

Maybe that’s why Dog Walking Month lands in January, when motivation is low and daylight’s in short supply.

🐾 Are you thinking of getting a dog (or being gently persuaded)?
🐾 What’s on your own pros and cons list?
🐾 And does walking, with or without a furry friend, play a part in your self-care?

Let’s see those dog photos too! Any excuse for wagging tails in the comments.

If you’d like to explore self-care and mental health awareness within your organisation, I’d love to help.
📧 info@empowermht.co.uk
🌐 www.empowermht.co.uk

17/12/2025

Are you a Parish, District or County Councillor in Oxfordshire?

In November 2025, I had the pleasure of facilitating my first two-hour Mental Health Awareness session on behalf of Oxfordshire Mind.

These sessions are designed specifically for Parish, District and County Councillors working across Oxfordshire and are available free of charge.

The sessions aim to:

● Raise awareness of mental health issues that may affect councillors, colleagues, and the communities you serve
● Explore common signs and symptoms of poor mental health
● Share good practice for starting supportive conversations about mental health
● Provide guidance and resources for responding to a mental health crisis
● Encourage councillors to prioritise their own mental wellbeing

If you would like more information or want to book a place, please contact Oxfordshire Mind:
https://www.oxfordshiremind.org.uk/training/free-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-training/

Future sessions will be delivered online in January, February and March 2026.

Oxfordshire Mind

Oxfordshire Mind has been commissioned to deliver Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Training in Oxfordshire for professionals and volunteers.

04/12/2025

If you’ve been meaning to prioritise mental health training, now’s the time. Liz’s Mental Health First Aid course in January is the first of her 2026 dates and is delivered online for easy access. Spaces tend to go quickly.

Sharing this helps small businesses reach the people who need this training.

26/11/2025

Christmas is getting closer, and many people are starting to feel the pressure building.

Work deadlines, family plans, money worries and social commitments can stack up fast. If you’re feeling stretched already, you’re not alone.

Here are some simple self-care steps that can help ease the overwhelm.

Try:

• Saying no to one thing this week
• Adding small gaps between tasks
• Taking a short break outside or away from your screen
• Keeping meals, water and sleep as steady as possible
• Choosing three priorities each day
• Talking to someone early if things feel too much
• Protecting a little quiet time for yourself

These small habits can make December feel calmer and easier to manage.

If your organisation seeks year-round support, Liz offers practical mental health and wellbeing courses to help teams feel confident, informed, and equipped every day. To check availability for open courses or discuss bespoke training, please get in touch at info@empowermht.co.uk.

Details of available courses can be found here: https://empowermht.co.uk/open-courses/

26/11/2025

Welcome to Empower Mental Health Training & Consultancy

If you’re new here, I’m Liz. I support organisations to build healthier, kinder and more confident workplaces through practical, accredited mental health and wellbeing training.

With a background in nursing and social work, I’ve spent my career helping people feel understood and supported. For the past six years, I’ve been delivering Mental Health First Aid courses and specialist wellbeing training to teams across the UK.

I offer courses and workshops that help your staff:

• Spot early signs of mental health difficulties
• Feel confident starting supportive conversations
• Respond with care and clear guidance
• Understand their own wellbeing needs
• Build healthier habits that benefit the whole workplace

Training includes:

• Mental Health First Aid
• MHFA Refresher
• Mental health awareness sessions
• Menopause awareness
• Financial wellbeing workshops

Every course is practical, evidence-based and centred around real workplace situations.

If your organisation wants to strengthen its approach to mental health, you’re in the right place.

Follow this page for:
• Tips for supporting your team
• Seasonal wellbeing advice
• Training dates and updates
• Helpful resources for managers and HR
• Stories from the training room

If you’d like to explore what support could look like for your team, send a message. I’m always happy to talk through options.

Find out more here: www.empowermht.co.uk or email me at info@empowermht.co.uk