Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program designed to teach people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges or crises. Just like physical first aid, MHFA equips individuals with the tools to provide initial support and guide someone towards appropriate professional help. It covers common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and substance use, helping reduce stigma and promote early intervention. MHFA is valuable for workplaces, schools, and communities aiming to create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.
Half day course (Mental Health Aware)
Topics Covered
- What is mental health?
- Mental Health Continuum
- Factors which affect mental health
- Stigma
- Stress and stress management
- Spotting signs of distress
- Mental health conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Psychosis
- Eating disorders
- Suicide
- Self-harm
- Recovery
- Take 10 Together - starting a supportive conversation
- Supporting mental health in the workplace
- Useful statistics
- Helpful resources
Cost
- £130 per person (Max of 25 people per session to ensure safe and supported learning)
Takeaways
- A certificate of attendance to say you are mental health aware
- A manual to refer to whenever you need it
- A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support your own mental health
Format
- A half day course (4 hours), delivered either face-to-face or via online video conferencing
- Learning takes place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities
One day course (MHFA Champion)
Learning Outcomes
- An understanding of common mental health issues
- Knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness
- Ability to spot signs of mental ill health
- Skills to support positive wellbeing
Cost
- £200 per person (Max of 16 people per session to ensure safe and supported learning)
Takeaways
- A certificate of attendance to say you are an MHFA Champion
- A manual to refer to whenever you need it
- A quick reference card for the Mental Health First Aid action plan
- A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support your own mental health
Format
- This is a one day course delivered either face-to-face or via online video conferencing
- Split into two sessions
- Learning takes place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities
Two day course (Mental Health First Aider)
Learning Outcomes
- Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention
- Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports
- Practise active listening and empathy
- Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
- Discuss the MHFAider role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
- Practise self-care
- Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®
- Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England
Cost
- £325 per person (Max of 16 people per session to ensure safe and supported learning)
Takeaways
- MHFAider qualified
- A copy of the workbook to support their learning throughout the course
- A digital manual to refer to whenever they need it
- A wallet-sized reference card
Format
- Online or face-to-face course structured across four flexible sessions. Each session is a maximum of 3hrs 45mins and sessions can be delivered within a two-week period
- Learners will be trained over four live sessions with an MHFA England Instructor Member, covering 14 hours of content in total
- Learning takes place through a mix of instructor-led training, group discussions, individual and group activities
- Each session builds on the previous one, enabling the learner to gain confidence in supporting others with a Mental Health First Aid action plan
