– Virtual or face to face
– Up to 16 participants per session
– Interactive
– 4 online sessions approx. 3 hours each
or 2 full days face to face
– Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance,
qualifying them as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®)
“I wanted to thank you both for a wonderful course which was expertly hosted and brilliantly presented. I took so much from it both on a personal level and from a professional standpoint.”
“What could have seemed a fairly daunting number of elements and topics were covered in such a well structured and intuitive way.”
“Excellent course. Definitely a subject that affects us all in some way. Learning to recognise symptoms and having a knowledge of how to support people will be invaluable.”
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised, certified, training course, which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but just like physical first aid, it will enable you to confidently listen, reassure and respond even in a crisis.
Key programme elements
Session 1
Introducing Mental Health, what it is, why it’s important and why we need Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders®). Including exploring the role and its boundaries, introducing ALGEE, the importance of non-judgmental listening, the frame of reference and the stress container.
Session 2
Understanding the influences on MH, the mental health continuum and why we are all on it, and taking a deeper dive into anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, self-harm and substance misuse, including case studies, films, listening skills, conversational practice, discussions and the importance of self-care.
Session 3
This session builds on the previous ones, using the ALGEE framework to explore further case studies, and examining depression, its common signs and symptoms, suicide, suicidal ideation and myths, and psychosis. Including films discussion and reflection.
Session 4
Reflecting on recovery and the lived experience of mental ill health, including further practice of MHFA skills and ALGEE, discussion of the nuances, reality and boundaries of your new role, action planning and reinforcing the importance of self-care.
Participants will be able to:
• Gain an in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can impact wellbeing.
• Spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues.
• Confidently step in, reassure and support someone in distress.
• Understand how to maintain their personal wellbeing.
• Use enhanced interpersonal skills including non-judgmental listening.
• Recognise and use helpful language.
• Help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support, including self-help resources, employer resources and/or the NHS and professional assistance.
• Promote a supportive, open and positive culture around mental health.