We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Mental ill health can strike at any time and can affect people from all walks of life.
Although things are improving, stigma still exists around mental ill health. As a society, we don´t tend to know how to take care of our mental health like we do our physical health. This means that people may not know how to support a friend, family member or colleague experiencing a mental health issue, or where to go for support with their own mental health.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
MHFA won´t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.
You´ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.
You´ll also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This could include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.
What´s more, you´ll gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around you.
Adult MHFA courses are for everyone aged 16 upwards. Every MHFA course is delivered by a quality assured instructor who has attended the Instructor Training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, and is trained to keep people safe and supported while they learn and is particularly relevant for those with a line management responsibility in an organisation.
Session 1
Why Mental Health First Aid?
The Mental Health First Aid action plan
What is mental health?
Impact of mental health issues
Stigma and discrimination
What is depression?
Symptoms of depression
Risk factors for depression
Depression in the workplace
Session 2
Suicide figures
Alcohol, drugs and mental health
First aid for suicidal crisis
Non-judgemental listening skills
First aid for depression
Treatment and resources for depression
Self-care
Session 3
What is an anxiety disorder?
First aid for anxiety disorders
Crisis first aid after a traumatic event
Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders
Treatment and resources for anxiety disorders
Cognitive distortions and CBT
Personality disorders
Eating disorders
Self-harm
Session 4
What is psychosis?
Risk factors for psychosis
Alcohol, drugs and psychosis
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Warning signs of developing psychosis
Crisis first aid for acute psychosis
Treatment and resources for psychosis
Recovery and building resources
Action planning for using MHFA