Mental Health First Aid Course

Mental health issues are becoming more widely understood and people are now more likely than ever to seek help for mental health problems. Although things are improving, knowing how to take care of our mental health or how to best help others at home and in the workplace is still a challenge.

Becoming a mental health first aider gives you the skills to know how to support a friend, family member or colleague experiencing a mental health issue, or where to go for support with your own mental health. You can learn how to identify, understand and help others suffering from mental health problems. Our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses teach you the skills to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. We look at what the warning signs are and how to have the confidence that you can approach and support someone while keeping them and yourself safe.

Our mental health first aid courses are available in either half, one day or two day variants.


Did you know we also offer Mental Health First Aid courses in Yeovil, Somerset?

 

Half Day: Identifying Mental Health Issues and Signposting Services

This half day course is aimed at providing learners with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions and to develop the skills to start a conversation, signposting the person towards professional help. The following content is covered:

  • What is First Aid for Mental Health?
  • Identifying mental health conditions
  • Providing advice and starting a conversation
  • Stress
  • Mental health conditions

Duration: A minimum of 4 hours. Ideally, the course should be run in one day, but must be completed within 2 weeks of starting the course, with each training session a minimum of two hours.

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 1 Award in Awareness for First Aid for Mental Health will be issued to the learner, 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 requalify for a further three years.

 

One Day: First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace

This one day course covers the content of the Level 1 course but also expands on the effects of drugs and alcohol, incorporates the First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan and covers ways in which a positive mental health culture can be supported within a workplace. The following content is covered:

  • What is First Aid for Mental Health?
  • Identifying mental health conditions
  • Providing advice and starting a conversation
  • Stress
  • Mental health conditions
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • First Aid for Mental Health action plan
  • First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace

Duration: A minimum of 6 hours spread over at least one day. Ideally, the course should be run in one day.

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 2 Award in 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 requalify for a further three years.

 

One Day: First Aid for Youth Mental Health

First Aid for mental health is the initial support provided to a young person experiencing a mental health problem until professional help is received or until the crisis is resolved. The aims of first aid for youth mental health are as follows:

  • Preserve life where a young person could be in danger to themselves or others
  • Alleviate suffering by providing immediate comfort and support
  • Prevent the condition from developing into a more serious problem
  • Promote recovery of good mental health by signposting and obtaining professional support

The course consists of 7 modules: Module 1 Introduction Module 2 What is first aid for youth mental health? Module 3 Identifying mental health conditions Module 4 Stress Module 5 Mental health conditions Module 6 First Aid Action Plan for Mental Health Module 7 Assessment and course closure.

MODULE 1 Introduction.

MODULE 2 WHAT IS FIRST AID FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH? Session content Definitions Role and responsibilities of a first aider The impact of mental health issues Mental health stigma.

MODULE 3 IDENTIFYING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS Session content Mental health continuum Mental health risk factors Early warning signs.

MODULE 4 STRESS Session content What is stress? Causes of stress Effects of stress Coping strategies.

MODULE 5 MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS Session content Depression Anxiety Psychosis Eating disorders Suicide Self-harm Post-traumatic stress disorder Conduct disorders - Bullying Drugs and alcohol Session.

MODULE 6 FIRST AID ACTION PLAN FOR MENTAL HEALTH Session content Check for significant risk of suicide or harm Apply non-judgemental communication skills Reassure and provide information Encourage professional support and self-help strategies Consent and safeguarding The first aider’s own health and emotions Assessment Scenario – Application of the first aid action plan for mental health Session duration.

MODULE 7 ASSESSMENT AND COURSE CLOSURE Session content Written assessment paper Course administration Course closure Session.

Duration: A minimum of 6 hours spread over at least one day. Ideally, the course should be run in one day.

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 2 Award in First Aid for Youth 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 requalify for a further three years.

 

In reference to this course, please click to read our article below:

How Important is Youth Mental First Aid?

 


Two Days: Mental Health First Aid for Supervisors, Trainers and Assesors

This two day course goes into detail on a wide range of mental health conditions and the support and help provided by healthcare professionals. It covers the content of both the Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications but is aimed at Trainer/Assessors and/or supervisor level within the workplace. The following content is covered:

  • What is First Aid for Mental Health?
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Self-harm
  • Providing advice and starting a conversation
  • Suicide
  • Stress
  • Eating disorders
  • Mental health conditions
  • Personality disorders
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Bipolar disorder
  • First Aid for Mental Health action plan
  • Psychosis
  • First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace
  • Schizophrenia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

Duration: A minimum of 12 hours spread over at least two days. Ideally, the course should be run over two consecutive days, but must be completed within 6 weeks of starting the course, with each training session a minimum of two hours

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: Certification A Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health will be issued to the learner, 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 requalify for a further three years.

 

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.

Lightning Training Solutions are members of the Federation of First Aid Training Organisations

Lightning Training Solutions are members of The First Aid Industry Body


The Quality Management system at FAIB holds 3rd Party Certification via a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) Accredited Certification Body.

Lightning Training Solutions
First Aid for Mental Health Courses available across Somerset from Lightning Training Solutions

 

Looking for a first aid training course with a first aid qualification?
Call us on 01935 473575 or email us through the form on the contact us page