Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training

The Mental Health First Aid course (MHFA) provides delegates with an in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can impact upon wellbeing. This will help organisations to construct a wider, more strategic approach to mental health first aid, implementing positive cultural and behavioural change that contributes to a safer, happier and healthier workspace.

MHFA – Key points

• Suitability: All employees
• Experience: No prerequisites required
• Duration: 2 days
• Number of sessions: 4
• Assessment: Group activities, presentations and discussions
• Teaching method: In-house or at one of SOCOTEC’s various training facilities across the UK

Aims/objectives of MHFA training

The two-day MHFA course equips delegates with the skills to successfully identify and support the signs, symptoms and triggers of mental health at work, as well as the confidence to reassure and support those in distress. Following the designated five-step Mental Health First Aid action plan, they will gain enhanced interpersonal skills that will enable them to listen and hold supportive conversations in a non-judgemental manner.

These newly acquired skills will help delegates to aid an individual’s recovery by pointing them in the direction of additional guidance, such as self-help resources, the NHS, employer support, or a mix of the three. They can then channel the knowledge attained through the MHFA course to address, monitor and support their own mental health, as well as become an advocate of mental health first aid to boost awareness across their organisation.

MHFA course structure

The MHFA course is split across four managed sessions, each of which is built around a Mental Health First Aid action plan. Delegates will be assessed via a mixture of group activities, presentations and discussions on adult mental health first aid. These will cover such areas as depression, anxiety and psychosis, while teaching you how to listen, reassure and respond to a variety of mental health-related crises.

Outcomes of MHFA training

Following the successful completion of the MHFA training course, delegates will be qualified to provide mental health first aid to their fellow colleagues and will be provided with an attendance certificate qualifying them as a Mental Health First Aider. They will also receive a manual on adult mental health first aid, which they can refer to as and when they need it, as well as a workbook that provides additional tools to support their own mental health.

Delegates will have the opportunity to undertake an MHFA Refresher half-day training course within three years of completing the original programme. This is recommended as good working practice as it provides delegates with skills that are both up-to-date and of a continuously high standard.

The Mental Health First Aid course can be provided in-house at a location of your choice by SOCOTEC’s accredited trainers. A maximum of 16 delegates are invited to attend the MHFA course, as this guarantees a bespoke learning experience that supports each individual and helps them to feel safe and secure throughout the training.

MHFA course overview

Session 1:

• Why Mental Health First Aid?
• The MHFA 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

Follow this link to find out more about SOCOTEC’s vast array of in-house, online and training facility courses, or contact us here.