The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Course is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to support individuals experiencing mental health issues. This course aims to equip attendees with the ability to recognise, understand, and respond to mental health crises and challenges effectively. It is suitable for a wide range of professionals and individuals who wish to enhance their ability to offer support in both personal and professional settings.
 
Course Content:
 
Introduction to Mental Health First Aid: Overview of Mental Health First Aid, including its purpose, principles, and the role of a Mental Health First Aider in providing support.
Understanding Mental Health: Exploration of mental health and mental illness, including common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Understanding the impact of mental health issues on individuals and their well-being.
Recognising Signs and Symptoms: Techniques for identifying the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, including recognising early warning signs and understanding the impact of different conditions.
Mental Health Crisis Management: Approaches for managing mental health crises, including assessing risk, providing initial support, and guiding individuals to appropriate professional help.
Providing Support: Effective communication strategies for offering support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, including active listening, empathy, and creating a supportive environment.
Understanding Risk Factors: Examination of risk factors and triggers for mental health issues, including the impact of stress, trauma, and other contributing factors.
Action Planning: Developing and implementing action plans for supporting individuals with mental health issues, including steps for providing ongoing support and making appropriate referrals.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding legal and ethical issues related to mental health support, including confidentiality, consent, and safeguarding.
Self-Care for Mental Health First Aiders: Strategies for maintaining personal well-being and managing stress when supporting others with mental health issues, including self-care practices and seeking support.
 
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the Mental Health First Aid Training Course, participants will be able to:
 
Understand Mental Health Principles: Demonstrate a clear understanding of mental health principles and the role of a Mental Health First Aider in providing effective support.
Recognise Mental Health Issues: Identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions and understand their impact on individuals’ well-being.
Manage Mental Health Crises: Apply techniques for managing mental health crises, including assessing risk, providing initial support, and guiding individuals to appropriate professional help.
Provide Support Effectively: Use effective communication strategies to offer support, including active listening, empathy, and creating a supportive environment.
Understand Risk Factors: Recognise risk factors and triggers for mental health issues and understand their impact on mental health and overall well-being.
Develop Action Plans: Create and implement action plans for supporting individuals with mental health issues, including making appropriate referrals and providing ongoing support.
Apply Legal and Ethical Principles: Adhere to legal and ethical principles related to mental health support, including confidentiality, consent, and safeguarding.
Practice Self-Care: Implement self-care strategies to manage personal well-being and stress when supporting individuals with mental health challenges.
Enhance Supportive Environments: Contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes mental health awareness and understanding.
Advance Professional Development: Use the knowledge and skills gained to enhance professional practice in mental health support and contribute to ongoing personal and professional development.
 
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid certificate, recognising their capability to offer effective mental health support. This certification enhances their role in promoting mental health awareness and provides valuable skills for supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges.