Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid Course

Mental health first aid course teaches you how to spot, understand, and deal with signs of mental health issues and substance use problems. The goal is to give you the know-how and confidence to help someone who might be struggling with their mental health or going through a crisis until they can get proper help. It’s all about stepping in early to offer support, help them get better, and show them care and understanding.

This mental health first aid training will help delegates develop a greater understanding of the importance of positive mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Delegates will learn about the role that everyone plays in recognising and supporting mental health issues at work.

Delegates undertaking this course will follow the syllabus of the QA Level 2 Award in Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace (RQF).

• Course Duration: 4- 6 hours
• Course Level: Level 2
• Certificate: 1-year certificate
• Max Delegates: 12
• Practical: No
• Course Mode: Face-to-Face/Blended

People Also Searched: Workplace First Aid In-person Courses and Mental Care Awareness Courses.

Mental Health Course Module

The Mental Health First Aid course is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognise and respond effectively to mental health issues in the workplace.

The course focuses on four key aspects you’ll learn:

1. Understanding Mental Health:

• What mental health is and why it’s important
• How mental health affects work and well-being
• Creating a supportive workplace

2. Roles and Laws:

• Laws like the Equality Act and Health and Safety at Work Act
• What employers and workers should do
• What Mental Health First Aiders, managers, and HR should do
• Legal duties and good ways to help with mental health

3. Common Mental Health Conditions:

• Types of conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD
• What causes them and how they affect life and work

4. Mental Health First Aid Action Plan:

• Spotting signs of mental health problems
• Talking to people in a helpful way
• Giving first aid until pros can help
• Following a plan for mental health first aid at work
• Taking care of yourself as a Mental Health First Aider

Who Should Attend The Course:

Anyone can benefit from taking a Mental Health First Aid course, but it’s particularly valuable for:

1. Workers: People in any job can learn to notice signs of mental health issues in themselves and others, creating a supportive workplace culture.
2. Managers and Employers: Those in charge can gain skills to support their team members and make mentally healthy workplaces.
3. HR Staff: Human resources employees can improve how they handle mental health concerns in the workplace and help employees.
4. Teachers and School Staff: Educators can learn to spot mental health issues in students and provide help and referrals.
5. Healthcare Workers: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff can get better at noticing and responding to mental health crises in patients.
6. Community Leaders: People involved in community groups or volunteering can learn to support mental health in their communities. In short, anyone who wants to help themselves or others with mental health challenges can benefit from Mental Health First Aid training.

Benefits of Mental Health First Aid Course

The benefits of mental health first aid course are:

1. For Individuals:

1. Better self-awareness: Learn to spot signs of mental health struggles in yourself, so you can seek help sooner.
2. Coping skills: Get tools and strategies to manage your own mental well-being and build strength.
3. More confidence: Feel more able to support colleagues and loved ones facing mental health challenges.
4. Less stigma: Gain a clearer understanding of mental health, making it easier to talk about and support each other.

2. For Workplaces:

1. Early help: Help employees identify and deal with mental health issues sooner, stopping problems from getting worse.
2. More productivity: Support a healthier, happier workforce, which might mean more work gets done and fewer days off sick.
3. Better morale: Create a friendlier, more supportive work atmosphere, which can boost how employees feel about their jobs.
4. Lower costs: Understanding mental health issues early can save the business money on things like healthcare and lost work time.

3. For Communities:

1. More awareness: Help people understand and accept mental health challenges better.
2. Stronger support: Teach people how to look out for each other and build stronger networks of care.
3. Less stigma: Make it normal to talk about mental health, so people feel okay asking for help.
4. Better overall health: Create a friendlier, more supportive community for everyone’s well-being.

How long is the training?

Our Mental Health First Aid training typically takes one day. This is the common duration for most MHFA courses.

However, depending on your specific needs and the level of customisation required, the training could be extended to two days.

Here are some things to consider:

• Desired level of detail: If you require a more in-depth exploration of specific mental health conditions or want more practice scenarios, this could warrant a two-day format.
• Number of participants: A larger group size might benefit from a two-day training to ensure everyone has adequate opportunity to learn and participate in activities.
• Company-specific needs: If you have a unique workplace culture or require tailored content specific to your industry, a two-day format might be necessary to cover everything effectively.

Is mental health first aid training suitable for schools?

Yes, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is good for school staff and students.

It can help in a lot of ways:

1. Recognising problems early: Schools are important for catching mental health issues early in students’ lives. With trained staff, they can pick up on signs of anxiety, sadness, or other problems, and help out sooner.
2. Making students feel better: When staff know about MHFA, it creates a nicer atmosphere where students feel okay talking about their problems. This can help them do better in school, make friends easier, and feel happier overall.
3. Reduced stigma: Learning about MHFA makes it normal to talk about mental health, so students don’t feel ashamed to ask for help.
4. Helping all kinds of students: Schools have lots of different kids, and MHFA training helps staff understand and support them, no matter what they’re going through.
5. Giving staff more power: Teachers and other school staff have a lot on their plate. Training gives them skills to help students and take care of themselves when things get tough.

This mental health first aid course helps you learn about mental health at work. You’ll be able to spot signs when someone might be struggling, like feeling anxious or down. We’ll show you how to help them out until they can see a doctor or feel better on their own. By being there for them early on, you can make a real difference!

What are mental health first aiders trained to do?

Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) are not therapists or counsellors, but they play a vital role in supporting colleagues experiencing mental health challenges.

Here is what they’re trained to do:

1. Recognise signs of mental health problems: They learn to notice signs of anxiety, depression, and stress through verbal and non-verbal cues.
2. Offer initial help: MHFAs can listen attentively, show empathy, and calm situations down if needed.
3. Guide to professional support: They can direct colleagues to resources like employee assistance training or mental health hotlines.
4. Encourage self-care: MHFAs may suggest ways of relaxing or being calm or healthy habits to improve mental well-being.
5. Fight stigma: By talking openly about mental health and offering support, they help create a caring workplace.

Overall, MHFAs provide important support, encouraging colleagues to seek help and fostering a culture of well-being at work.

What is ALGEE in Mental Health First Aid?

ALGEE is a handy tool in Mental Health First Aid for giving initial help to someone in a mental health crisis. Here’s what each letter means:

A – Assess: First, calmly check the situation for any danger, ensuring safety for everyone.
L – Listen: Listen actively to the person, without judging. Encourage them to express themselves freely and validate their feelings.
G – Gently Guide to professional help: After listening, gently suggest seeking professional help if needed. Offer to connect them with resources like employee assistance programs or mental health hotlines.
E – Encourage self-care: Recommend simple self-care strategies, like relaxation techniques or deep breathing exercises, to help them feel better.
E – Ensure well-being and ongoing support: Reassure them that you’re there for them and that things can improve. Offer to keep supporting them.
Remembering ALGEE gives you a clear plan for giving initial support to someone in a mental health crisis.

What is MHFA Training?