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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Course
Learn, recognise and act! Mental Health First Aid is a practical course designed to help learners identify and understand mental health issues and substance use challenges early on. By training all employees to support mental health at work, this course promotes staff well-being and productivity. Choose our popular live online tutor-led course. You can also take this course in a classroom or at your preferred location for in-person learning.
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Rated Excellent
on major review sites
Course Features
Learning Options
Mental Health First Aid Course Overview
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a globally recognised training course that teaches learners to identify signs of mental illnesses. This course is for anyone who plans to give primary support to those facing mental health issues. The training benefits individuals, professionals, and communities by improving awareness, empathy, and practical support for mental health challenges. The MHFA course can be delivered live online, in a classroom or at your preferred location, in the presence of a tutor.
Who is this Course for?
- Designed for individuals who want to promote mental health.
- Managers and supervisors seeking to support their team's mental well-being
- HR professionals aiming to implement mental health initiatives
- Employees looking to recognise and respond to mental health issues and drug addiction issues among colleagues
- Organisations striving to create a supportive and inclusive work environment
Why is the Mental Health First Aid course important?
The Mental Health First Aid Training course teaches how our mental well-being impacts our decision-making and progress in life. Particularly in the workplace, it is important to be aware of our mental triggers and how to stabilise them using emotional regulation. This is useful for employee productivity and overall job satisfaction.
The Mental Health First Aid course will educate you on developing non-judgmental listening skills. It will give you the confidence to support someone experiencing mental health challenges, guiding them to further support resources for recovery.
Learning Objectives of Mental Health First Aid Course
This MHFA training teaches you to provide initial support until professional help is available. The course aims to educate you across many areas, including:
1. Recognising Mental Health Issues
Depression and Mood Disorders: Understanding symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite.
Anxiety Disorders: Recognising excessive worry, fear, or panic attacks that interfere with daily life.
Trauma: Identifying symptoms from past or recent traumatic experiences, including emotional and psychological distress.
Psychosis: Understanding symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.
Substance Use Disorders: Recognising signs of dependence or addiction to substances like alcohol or drugs, which can impact mental health.
2. Recovery and Resilience
Understanding Recovery: Emphasising the belief that recovery is possible and individuals can use their strengths to maintain mental well-being.
3. The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
Assess for Risk of Suicide or Harm: Evaluating the immediate risk of self-harm or harm to others.
Listen Non-Judgmentally: Providing support by actively listening without criticism or bias.
Give Reassurance and Information: Offering comfort and providing accurate information about mental health and available resources.
Encourage Appropriate Professional Help: Promoting seeking assistance from qualified mental health professionals.
Encourage Self-Help and Support Strategies: Support individuals utilising self-care practices and community resources for ongoing support.
4. Emergency Management
Panic Attacks: Helping individuals manage sudden and intense feelings of fear or anxiety.
Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors: Responding to individuals experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide with care and urgency.
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Assisting individuals who engage in self-harming behaviours without suicidal intent.
Acute Psychosis (e.g., Hallucinations or Delusions): Supporting individuals experiencing severe disturbances in thinking or perception.
Overdose or Withdrawal from Substances: Providing immediate aid and connecting individuals to medical assistance in cases of substance misuse emergencies.
Reaction to Traumatic Events: Helping individuals cope with the psychological impact of traumatic experiences, including immediate responses to trauma-related stress.
5. Practical Application
Practice skills through role plays, scenarios, and activities to confidently apply them in real-life situations. This hands-on approach enhances your readiness to support individuals in need effectively.
The MHFA Course Assessment & Certification
The Mental Health First Aid Training assessment format may include the following:
- Multiple-choice quizzes after each module.
- Practical demonstrations (for classroom training).
- Scenario-based assessments.
Learners will be awarded the Mental Health First Aid certificate, valid for three years.
What you will learn
- Identify signs of mental distress
- Offer initial aid and support
- Understand common health disorders
- Practice empathy in the workplace
- Develop non-judgemental listening towards colleagues
Mental Health First Aid General Course Content
Understand what mental health is and its importance in overall well-being, covering the spectrum from positive mental health to mental illnesses and disorders.
Learn about the biological, psychological, and social influences that contribute to a person’s mental well-being or predispose them to mental health problems.
Familiarise yourself with the roles and responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider and Responder, including how to provide initial support to someone experiencing mental health issues.
Receive training in the Mental Health Action Plan Protocol (DR EFG). It outlines steps to assess and assist individuals suffering from mental health problems.
Practise different techniques applied in physical first-aid to manage mental health emergencies.
Conduct risk assessments for individuals with mental illness to ensure their safety.
Cover stress awareness and management techniques to help identify and manage triggers.
Educate participants on strategies for managing situations involving self-harm and suicide risks.
Study mental illnesses in detail, such as PTSD, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, focusing on diagnosis and therapies.
Understand the importance of empathy in professional relationships and supporting individuals with mental health issues.
Learn about relevant legislation to ensure compliance and ethical practice as a mental health first-aider.
No Booking fee
We provide our services without any additional charges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Mental Health First Aider is trained to provide initial support to individuals experiencing mental health issues or emergencies in the workplace.
Mental Health First Aid helps create a supportive environment and offers immediate assistance for colleagues with mental health challenges. It teaches individuals the skills and knowledge to recognise early signs of mental health issues in themselves and others and guides them toward appropriate professional help.
This course is especially useful for managers, HR professionals, and team members interested in supporting colleagues' mental well-being.
Participants learn to recognise signs of common mental health issues and offer initial help. They will also guide individuals toward appropriate professional support.
It is recommended that Mental Health First Aiders refresh their skills every three years. This will help them stay updated with best practices and changes in mental health awareness.
While basic English proficiency (Level 2) is required, additional language support can be arranged if requested.
Yes, personal experience can be beneficial in understanding mental health issues; however, the course focuses on providing practical skills to support others.
Upon completing the course, participants receive a certificate valid for three years. The certification is awarded by an awarding body that acknowledges your training as a mental health first aider in the workplace.
