COURSE

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a training program that teaches members of the public how to help a person developing a mental health problem (including a substance use problem), experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

Aims of this qualification and rationale:

 

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.

You will learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.

You will also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This could include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.

Mental health problems are common in the community, so members of the public are likely to have close contact with people affected. However, many people are not well informed about how to recognize mental health problems, how to provide support and what are the best treatments and services available. Furthermore, many people developing mental disorders do not get professional help or delay getting professional help. Someone in their social network who is informed about the options available for professional help can assist the person to get appropriate help. In mental health crises, such as a person feeling suicidal, deliberately harming themselves, having a panic attack or being acutely psychotic, someone with appropriate mental health first aid skills can reduce the risk of the person coming to harm.

There is also stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems, which may be reduced by improving public understanding of their experiences.

Research:

A number of studies have been carried out showing the people who are trained in mental health first aid showed improved knowledge, confidence, attitudes and helping behaviour. A meta-analysis of data from 15 evaluation studies concluded that mental health first aid training “increases participants’ knowledge regarding mental health, decreases their negative attitudes, and increases supportive behaviours toward individuals with mental health problems. There has also been research to develop international guidelines on the best strategies for mental health first aid. Mental health first aid training has been included in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices

Outcome:

On completion of this course, delegates will receive, from Mental Health First Aid England, their official certificate. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 2 day training course with the aim to enable people to:

  • Spot the early signs of a mental health problem
  • Feel confident helping someone experiencing a problem
  • Provide help on a first aid basis
  • Help prevent someone from hurting themselves or others
  • Help stop a mental illness from getting worse
  • Help someone recover faster
  • Guide someone towards the right support
  • Reduce the stigma of mental health problems

You will receive a workbook to use during the two days and an information manual which covers most of the information covered on the course. Upon completion of the course you will also receive a certificate of attendance. Further more the training course will also give you.

An in depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing.

Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues.

Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress.

Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening.

Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s self-help resources, through their employer, the NHS, or a mix

How is it delivered?

The course is delivered by Lindsay Moody, a Mental Health First Aid England qualified Instructor. Lindsay has had rigorous training and assessments to achieve his qualification.

The course is very much a case of discussion and use of case studies, workbooks and watching short video clips.

Delegates will inevitably bring up personal stories, which always brings the group together.

The course is delivered over two days, 09:00-17:00 each day

On completion of this course delegates will receive Mental Health First Aider certificate from Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA).

Cost/dates:    

Please contact our business development team for information on next scheduled dates around our 2 centres in London and Birmingham.

We at Pier Training would be very happy to discuss any aspect of this training course you may be interested in.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you.