No. It takes years of study and supervised practice to become a BACP accredited counsellor. Individuals completing our mental health first aid training will be taught that their role is not to attempt to counsel or advise employees. Instead, it is to identify and guide individuals in emotional distress towards appropriate support, such as your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). This in itself is a hugely important role. Because getting people to have that first conversation about their mental health and acknowledge they need support is essential to recovery.