How Mental Health First Aiders Can Support Someone with ADHD
Every October, ADHD Awareness Month shines a light on one of the most common – and often misunderstood – neurodevelopmental conditions.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects around 2.6 million people in the UK, yet stigma, myths and lack of understanding still present daily challenges for those living with it.
At Safe and Sound Training, we believe that awareness and the right skills make a real difference.
That’s why Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training plays a vital role in creating supportive workplaces where colleagues with ADHD can thrive.
Improved ADHD Awareness & Changing Attitudes:
ADHD does not come with the same stigma as it once did. Growing up in the 80s, it was seen in a very different and much more negative light.
Awareness has come a long way, thanks to social media, numerous documentaries, and, perhaps most importantly, people being able to openly discuss their mental health and how they feel about certain situations.
Talking to others is one of the best things you can do… It helps to see how other people think.
Literally.
A key to understanding ADHD and various other neurodivergent aspects is chatting with people and seeing how they approach situations, how they process information, and how their brain works when it comes to figuring things out.
You may find that people approach things differently, or, in my case, I have found that many of my friends had been through the process of an ADHD diagnosis and were happy for the opportunity to talk about it with someone.
So please, don’t ever feel alone. Don’t feel like you’re ashamed or that there is no one to talk to. Simply find the right people whom you trust, know to be supportive and non-judgmental.
This article will help with some aspects, but it will not set you on the road to getting a professional opinion or a diagnosis. You will have to make that first step.
Take that from a person in their mid-forties who is in the process of an ADHD diagnosis… and that the process will be SLOW!
Support is out there, and being a mental health first aider may give you a unique insight that could help you support colleagues, family and friends.
There is no better time than October: ADHD Awareness Month.
Understanding ADHD in the Workplace
ADHD isn’t just about “being distracted.” It’s a condition that can affect attention, organisation, impulse control and emotional regulation.
In a workplace setting, this may look like:
- Struggling with deadlines or task prioritisation
- Finding long or unstructured meetings difficult to follow
- Experiencing overwhelm in busy environments
- Battling self-doubt, anxiety or stress linked to their ADHD symptoms
It’s possible that many ADHD symptoms will have been addressed in the past and potentially misdiagnosed as conditions like depression.
Many adults live for years without a diagnosis, often blaming themselves for difficulties rather than recognising ADHD as the cause.
This is where trained MHFAiders can make a real difference.
The Role of a Mental Health First Aider
Mental Health First Aiders are not expected to diagnose or treat ADHD.
Their role is to listen, provide reassurance, and encourage appropriate next steps.
Here’s how MHFAiders can help someone with ADHD:
- Creating a Safe Space
Listening without judgment helps reduce the shame and stigma that many people with ADHD feel. - Recognising Signs of Distress
ADHD often coexists with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or burnout. Spotting these signs early means offering support sooner. - Encouraging Conversations
Open-ended questions like “What do you find most challenging day-to-day?” can validate experiences and lead to constructive next steps. - Signposting to Support
MHFAiders can connect individuals to internal resources such as HR, wellbeing leads, or Employee Assistance Programmes, as well as external healthcare professionals. - Reducing Stigma
By talking openly about ADHD, MHFAiders help normalise conversations and build more inclusive workplaces.
Supporting Someone Seeking an ADHD Diagnosis
For many adults, the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis in the UK can feel overwhelming.
As an MHFAider, you can’t make referrals yourself, but you can help a colleague understand their options and feel supported along the way.
Here are practical steps you can encourage:
Step 1: Encourage a GP Appointment
The first step towards diagnosis is speaking with a GP.
Suggest that they prepare examples of challenges they face at work, home, or in daily life.
Encourage them to mention any history of ADHD symptoms, even from childhood.
Step 2: Highlight NHS and Private Pathways
Explain that in the UK, ADHD assessments are usually carried out by psychiatrists with expertise in ADHD.
NHS waiting lists can be long (often months or even years), but some people may have access to private assessments, which are usually faster.
Some employers may even fund private assessments through occupational health.
Step 3: Introduce the “Right to Choose” Route
Under NHS rules, patients in England have a legal “Right to Choose” their mental health provider, which can sometimes speed up access to assessment.
Direct them to NHS guidance or resources such as ADHD UK (Links below), which provides template letters to request this.
Step 4: Encourage Record-Keeping
Suggest keeping a diary of symptoms, workplace struggles, or triggers.
Encourage them to ask a family member to provide observations, as this can help during the assessment.
Step 5: Offer Workplace Support in the Meantime
While waiting for assessment, reasonable adjustments can still be requested under the Equality Act 2010 if ADHD symptoms amount to a disability.
Encourage open dialogue with managers or HR to explore adjustments such as flexible hours, structured deadlines, or written meeting notes.
Practical Tips for MHFAiders
As an MHFAider, you can make the process less daunting by:
Listening empathetically and reassuring the person that they’re not alone.
Helping them identify trusted colleagues, HR or occupational health contacts.
Sharing reputable resources such as:
Checking in regularly, especially during long NHS waiting periods.
ADHD Can Be a Superpower
It’s easy to focus on the negatives when it comes to ADHD, but we have a choice in how our perspectives look at it.
- How can hypefocus be harnessed?
- Can we view challenges from a different angle?
- What about noticing the things that no one else does?
- Asking the questions that other people don’t think of?
- Do they have a keen attention to detail in certain aspects of their role?
- Possessing skills that other people lack?
You will find that a lot of people work like it’s a checkbox exercise.
People with ADHD will often display skills that may go unnoticed for a time, but they can have outstanding comprehension in ways that other people simply do not.
When those skills are harnessed correctly, people with ADHD can perform at their best.
Not as a burden but as a benefit: A key member of the team. A thought leader.
Having a critical thinker who sees things from a different angle can benefit any company or business.
It’s about using the skills a person possesses effectively and making them feel fulfilled in their role.
Training for Real Impact
At Safe and Sound Training, we deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid courses that give people the confidence to support colleagues facing a wide range of challenges, including ADHD.
Our training equips teams with the practical skills to listen, respond and signpost effectively – helping build healthier, more inclusive workplaces. Get in touch with our team to get booked in for training.
This ADHD Awareness Month, let’s not only raise awareness but also guide people towards real support and solutions.
Together, we can create workplaces where everyone feels safe, supported and able to succeed.
