This Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England course is designed to teach anyone how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis using the ALGEE Action Plan. MHFA teaches people how to recognise those crucial warning signs of poor mental health and provide early intervention to guide someone to appropriate support. Not only will these skills allow staff to help someone else but they can also be applied to themselves. Embedding MHFAiders® within an organisation not only helps to meet the moral and legal requirements of the business, but also reduces stigma and creates a more positive culture. This culture shift leads to significant decreases in problems from poor mental health. It also means that anyone with poor mental health will get recognised and receive the help they need before the situation becomes more serious.

2 days (14 hours) — £295.00 exc. VAT

Course syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to MHFA

The first session looks at setting out what Mental Health First Aid is, their role and an introduction on how to use the ALGEE action plan to help others. This session also looks at a range of statistics around mental health, the importance of self-care and the use of helpful and unhelpful language. This session finishes by looking at a number of useful models and tools such as the stress container and frame of reference which can all be use to help yourself and others

Module 2: Anxiety and Eating Disorders

Session 2 starts by looking at what influences mental health, risk factors and protective factors. It then looks at what anxiety is, different anxiety disorders and how to help with panic attacks (crisis first aid) and traumatic events. The session also focusses on the ability to actively listen and apply empathy as skills to help a MHFAider. The session finishes by looking at eating disorders, self-harm and substance misuse.

Module 3: Depression, Suicide and Psychosis

Session 3 starts by practicing the skills learnt from the previous day when applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan. The session then focusses on spotting the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide as well as what to do if they see these signs. The session looks at crisis first aid for suicide and how someone might go about dealing with and talking to someone who may be suicidal. The session finishes by focusing on psychosis and how a mental health first aider may help in this situation.

Module 4: Recovery and Application

Session 4 starts by looking at recovery and lived experiences of mental ill health. The session also looks at the boundaries in the MHFAider® role as well as how the role might be implemented appropriately. The session finishes by looking at the My MHFA action plan to work out how you plan to implement your training.