Mental Health First Aid (MHFAider) is an internationally recognised training course that teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. We don't teach people to be therapists, but we do teach people how to respond in a crisis, and how to reach out before a crisis happens. The training gives people tools to support themselves and each other, so everyone can talk about mental health and seek help when needed.
As an MHFAider you will be able to:
Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention
Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other support
Practise active listening and empathy
Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
Discuss the role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
Practise self-care
This course is ideal for those who would like to become an MHFAider to:
Gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health
Be confident starting a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support
Alongside the best evidence-based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, MHFAiders are also provided with three-year access to ongoing learning and support through the MHFAider Support App
1 Introduction to MHFAider (3 hours 30 mins)
MHFA and the MHFAider role
Introduction to the MHFAider Action Plan 'ALGEE'
What is Mental Health?
Helpful and unhelpful language
Undersign our Frame of Reference, understanding how we make sense of the world
Understanding stress & the Stress Container
2 Understanding Mental Health (4 hours)
What influences mental health?
The Mental Health Continuum
What is anxiety?
What is a traumatic event?
Active listening and empathy
What are eating disorders?
What is self-harm?
What is substance misuse?
MHFA conversation practice
3 MHFAider in practice (4 hours)
Applying ALGEE
What is depression?
What is suicide?
What is psychosis?
MHFA conversation practice
4 Next steps (3 hours)
Recovery and lived experience
Applying ALGEE
Boundaries in the MHFAider role
MHFA conversation practice
Moving forward in the MHFAider role and your MHFA action plan
Self-care