As someone who’s worked on the front lines of workplace training for over a decade, I can tell you this: if your mental health and wellbeing training is primarily e-learning, it’s probably not making the difference you think it is.
And in high-stress sectors like finance, legal, and professional services, that’s a serious problem.
You’re not just rolling out mental health training to tick a compliance box. You’re doing it to create long-term, behavioural change - so your people actually understand how to create the right environment and conditions so they can thrive - looking after themselves, supporting each other, and maintaining high performance under pressure. That kind of change takes more than a 30-minute online module. It takes real, human connection.
Live, interactive training drives change. E-learning doesn’t.
E-learning is convenient. It’s scalable. It’s cheap. But it doesn’t change behaviour - at least not in a lasting, meaningful way.
Live, interactive training - delivered by skilled facilitators - creates accountability, real-time reflection, and practical application. Participants don’t just absorb information; they engage with it, question it, and begin applying it to their day-to-day habits. That’s how change happens.
The research backs this up. Study after study shows that live and blended formats consistently outperform self-directed learning in retention, behavioural outcomes, and long-term impact. Participants rate them as more useful, more engaging, and more likely to lead to meaningful shifts in workplace culture.
In contrast, e-learning alone often suffers from low completion rates, poor retention, and zero follow-through. And when you’re dealing with the stakes of burnout, absenteeism, or even crisis intervention, that’s a risk you can’t afford to take.
What this means for you
If you're an HR or Wellbeing Manager trying to build a mentally healthier workplace, here’s the bottom line: how you deliver your training matters just as much as what it covers.
You don’t need more courses. You need better delivery. Live, trainer-led learning is the single most effective lever you can pull to create lasting change - and protect your people in a world that’s not getting any easier.
Don’t wait for the next wellbeing report or engagement survey to confirm what you’re already sensing. If your training isn’t creating visible, sustained behavioural change, it’s time to shift gears.
The investment in live training is worth it - because your people are.
Looking for training that actually fits the realities of high-pressure corporate life?
MindForward Alliance offers expert-led programmes designed by people who’ve worked in high-performing sectors - so their guidance is grounded, realistic, and built for real-world impact.
We also offer a range of webinars, panel sessions and fireside chat events - find out more about these engaging ways to socialise the mental health agenda in your organisation here .
References
• Gulliver, A. et al. (2018). A systematic review of programs for promoting help-seeking for common mental health problems in the workplace. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10), 2272. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102272
• Morgan, A. J. et al. (2021). Long-term outcomes of blended Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03097-7
• Milligan-Saville, J. S. et al. (2020). Workplace mental health training for managers and its effect on organisational outcomes. The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(11), 850–858. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30372-3
• WorkSafe UK. (2023). The Benefits of In-Person Health and Safety Training Compared to Online Courses. https://www.worksafe.uk.com/health-and-safety-training/the-benefits-of-in-person-health-and-safety-training-with-a-teacher-compared-to-online-e-courses/