Our Psychological First Aid Training Courses offer a comprehensive approach to equipping individuals and businesses with the necessary skills to provide immediate support and comfort in times of psychological distress.
Recommended for first responders and service providers who may interact with people affected by a crisis, our course covers supportive listening, normal stress responses, positive coping mechanisms and the importance of linking people to support.
Join us as we explore the significance of Psychological First Aid Training and its profound impact on fostering a resilient and supportive workplace environment.
What Is Psychological First Aid?
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a method of providing immediate, practical assistance to individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, crisis, or distressing situation.
In the UK, PFA is guided by principles outlined by organisations such as Public Health England and the British Red Cross.
The core principles of Psychological First Aid typically include:
- Safety and Comfort: Ensuring the safety and physical comfort of individuals affected by a crisis or trauma is the first priority. This may involve removing them from danger or providing immediate medical assistance.
- Assessment and Triage: PFA involves assessing the needs of individuals affected by the crisis and determining the level of support required. Triage helps in prioritising those who need immediate assistance.
- Stabilisation and Supportive Listening: Providing emotional support and reassurance to individuals to help stabilise their emotions. This may involve active listening, validating their feelings, and offering practical assistance if needed.
- Practical Assistance: Offering practical support such as providing access to basic needs like food, water, shelter, and medical aid. This can help individuals feel more secure and able to cope with the situation.
- Information Provision: Offering clear, accurate information about the crisis or trauma, as well as available resources and support services. Providing information helps individuals regain a sense of control and make informed decisions.
- Connection to Social Support: Assisting individuals in connecting with their social support networks, such as friends, family, or community resources. Social support is crucial for coping and recovery after a traumatic event.
- Self-Care and Coping Strategies: Encouraging individuals to practice self-care and use healthy coping strategies to manage their emotions and stress levels in the aftermath of a crisis.
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
Source: McManus, S., Meltzer, H., Brugha, T. S., Bebbington, P. E., & Jenkins, R. (2009). Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey.
Psychological First Aid in the UK is often delivered by mental health professionals, emergency responders, or volunteers.
Training in PFA equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to provide immediate, compassionate support to those in need, helping to mitigate the psychological impact of crisis and promote resilience in communities.
At Lightning Training Solutions, we offer MHFA – which includes Psychological First Aid. Keep an eye on our open courses too as we are planning to offer MHFA in Yeovil in the future.
Mental Health First Aid Courses
You’ll learn the following topics when you attend our Mental Health First Aid course:
- Unlocking Mental Wellness: Discovering the ABCs of First Aid for Mental Health
- Spot the Signs, Be the Support: Mastering the Art of Identifying Mental Health Conditions
- Conversations That Heal: From “How Are You?” to Heartfelt Talks
- Navigating the Maze: Understanding Drugs, Alcohol, and Mental Health
- Crafting Your Mental Rescue Blueprint: The First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan
- Workplace Wellness Warriors: Implementing First Aid for Mental Health in Your Workspace
Interested in learning more? Complete the form below and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements.
First Aid for Mental Health in the Workplace
This comprehensive one-day course builds upon the Level 1 curriculum, delving deeper into the impact of drugs and alcohol, integrating the First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan, and exploring strategies to foster a positive mental health culture in the workplace.
Participants will cover the following topics:
- Understanding the Basics: What is First Aid for Mental Health?
- Recognising Signs: Identifying mental health conditions
- Initiating Support: Providing advice and facilitating conversations
- Stress Management: Navigating the complexities of stress
- Mental Health Insights: Exploring various mental health conditions
- Substance Awareness: Examining the effects of drugs and alcohol
- Action Planning: Implementing the First Aid for Mental Health action plan
- Workplace Wellness: Integrating First Aid for Mental Health practices at work
Duration: A minimum of 6 hours, ideally conducted in one day session.
Class Size: Limited to a maximum of 12 students, aged 14 years and above. Upon completion, a certificate can be provided, either regulated through our partner, contingent upon assessment.
Assessment: Evaluation methods include practical demonstrations and both open and multiple-choice questioning.
Certification: Successful completion leads to a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health, valid for three years. Regular refresher training is strongly advised for continuous qualification. Renewal requires full course completion every three years.
Two-Day Mental Health First Aid Training for Supervisors and Managers
This comprehensive two-day course delves deeply into various mental health conditions and the assistance provided by healthcare professionals. Tailored for supervisors in the workplace, it combines Level 1 and Level 2 qualification content.
Our course covers:
- Understanding First Aid for Mental Health
- Exploring Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Addressing Self-harm
- Initiating support and conversations
- Dealing with Suicide
- Managing Stress
- Understanding Eating disorders
- Identifying various Mental health conditions
- Exploring Personality disorders
- Addressing Substance abuse: Drugs and alcohol
- Understanding Bipolar disorder
- Developing a First Aid for Mental Health action plan
- Understanding Psychosis
- Implementing First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace
- Addressing Schizophrenia
- Recognising Depression
- Understanding Anxiety
Duration: A minimum of 12 hours spread over at least two days.
Numbers: A maximum of 12 students are allowed on the course and must be a minimum of 14 years of age. A certificate can be offered to all, either regulated via our partner – subject to assessment.
Assessment: A range of methods are used, including practical and questioning (open and multiple-choice).
Certification: A Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health, subject to successful assessment. This qualification is valid for three years from the date of achievement. It is strongly recommended that the learner attends annual refresher training. The learner will need to complete the full course again to re-qualify for a further three years.
First Aid for Youth Mental Health
First Aid for youth mental health encompasses the initial assistance provided to a young person facing a mental health challenge until professional intervention is obtained or the crisis resolved.
The objectives of youth mental health first aid are:
- Preserve life in situations where a young person may be at risk to themselves or others
- Offer immediate comfort and support to alleviate suffering
- Prevent the escalation of the condition into a more severe problem
- Facilitate recovery by guiding towards professional assistance and self-help resources
The course comprises 7 modules:
- Introduction: Overview of the course
- Understanding First Aid for Youth Mental Health: Definitions, roles, and the impact of mental health issues
- Identifying Mental Health Conditions: Recognising signs, risk factors, and early indicators
- Stress: Exploring stress, its causes, effects, and coping mechanisms
- Exploring Mental Health Conditions: Covering depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, suicide, self-harm, PTSD, conduct disorders, bullying, drugs, and alcohol
- First Aid Action Plan for Mental Health: Steps include assessing risk, employing non-judgmental communication, providing reassurance and information, promoting professional help and self-care, and addressing consent and safeguarding
- Assessment and Course Conclusion: Written assessment, administrative details, and course closure
Duration: Minimum of 6 hours, ideally conducted in one day.
Class Size: Maximum of 12 students, aged 14 years and above. Certificates are available, regulated through our partner and contingent upon assessment.
Assessment: Includes practical demonstrations and questioning (open and multiple-choice).
Certification: Successful completion results in a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Youth Mental Health, valid for three years. Annual refresher training is advised, with full course completion required every three years for requalification.
MHFA Course Prices
| Available Courses | Duration | Per Course | Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health First Aid: Half Day | 4 Hours | £550 | £50 |
| Mental Health First Aid: One Day | 1 Day | £1375 | £125 |
| Youth Mental Health First Aid: One Day | 1 Day | £1375 | £125 |
| Mental Health First Aid: Two Days | 2 Days | £2200 | £200 |
Please note:
Maximum of 12 people per course. All prices are subject to VAT. Terms and Conditions apply.
The awarding body for all the above courses is Nuco Training.
The Quality Management system at FAIB holds 3rd Party Certification via a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) Accredited Certification Body.
