Bitesize training courses → Wellbeing courses → Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Training course:
Mental Health First Aid
Two days • In-person or remote • 4-15 participants
Rated 4.5 / 5 ★★★★½ from 15 reviews
About this training course
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally-recognised certified training course, which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health, and provide the right assistance as a first responder.
Just as you probably have trained first aiders and fire marshals in your workplace in case of emergency, Mental Health First Aid is designed to train select participants to step in and provide support to anybody experiencing mental health symptoms.
MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, any more than conventional first aid training teaches you to be a doctor. But just like physical first aid, this course empowers participants to confidently listen, reassure and respond to someone experiencing difficulties, from mild and moderate problems to emergency crises.
Unlike our other ‘bitesize’ training courses, this is a full two-day engagement, resulting in an official qualification. Comprised of four training sessions, it can can also be delivered in four half-days.
Pairing suggestion: for those who have already completed this qualification, our MHFA refresher is a two-hour training session designed to reinforce your earlier learning, and recommended every year or two.
Key details
our Mental Health First Aid training course takes two days to complete and is packed with useful techniques to deal with acute mental health situations
designed for groups of 4 – 15
delivered by an expert trainer at your workplace, or virtually
interactive, with plenty of exercises that get people talking
Session one
Mental health: what it is, attitudes towards it, risk factors, and how to look after mental health.
Mental Health First Aid: why it’s important, and when and how to utilise it.
Depression: exploring and understanding depression, risk factors and depression in the workplace
Session two
Depression: First aid for depression, including non-judgmental listening and the importance of self-care for Mental Health First Aiders
Suicide: including risk factors, assessing for warning signs, and providing crisis first aid for someone who is suicidal.
Session three
Reflection: looking back over Day 1.
Anxiety: what it is, signs and symptoms, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, trauma and PTSD, personality disorders, eating disorders, self-harm and how to support using mental health first aid.
Mental health first aid training course programme
Session four
Psychosis: What it is, key symptoms, risk factors, schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar, and how to apply Mental Health First Aid Action plan for psychosis.
Recovery from mental ill health.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace.
Attendee reviews for our ‘Mental Health First Aid’ training course
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“I learned so much, and in a short space of time. I left feeling more confident at dealing with difficult issues and challenges that we may be faced with - both in the work environment, and in our personal lives.”
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"Our trainer was great - she was very open and approachable despite how difficult some of the topics were. She brought lightness to these topics and made me feel like I was in a safe environment which allowed me to open up in a way that I wouldn't often do."
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"Our trainer was brilliant - very engaging and lovely. I liked the two case studies we discussed in the breakout rooms."
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"The presenter was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Her passion, as well as clarity on delivery really made it that extra bit better!"
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"It gave me some concrete tools to use when addressing mental health with my team. It also gave me perspective on the number of ways I can help and support my team."
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"Some of the exercises and activities were really interesting and quite impactful. It was also interesting & useful to hear others' experiences of dealing with mental health issues, and the course manual is very comprehensive."
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"I thought it was super helpful: fascinating and useful. And our trainer was fantastic!"
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"Fantastic trainers, interactive sessions and great content and discussion."
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Why book this training session?
💁🏻♂️ Define go-to people for mental health situations
One of the benefits of having qualified & internally publicised first aiders is that people know where to turn if and when they are suddenly needed. By nominating and training qualified Mental Health First Aiders, it’s clear your organisation has a plan if someone needs support promptly.
👩🏻🦰 Not just for emergencies
MHFA is not the same as counselling, but the tools and techniques in this training course can be readily applied to episodes of moderate mental health symptoms that can affect anyone, such as panic attacks or depressive episodes.
Your mental health first aiders provide affected individuals someone to reach out to that is outside of their line of management, so they can access temporary reassurance without fear of complicating their conventional working life.
🤝 Protect visitors and customers
If your organisation deals directly with the public, your MHFA-qualified staff members can stand ready to assist them if needed. For example, this might be especially useful at hospitality venues, transport operators, or public services.
Some of the core techniques can also be applied if your organisation has frequent contact with vulnerable individuals, or people who may be feeling anxious or despondent.
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“Everything BiteSize Learning has delivered for us over the past year has been fantastic. The trainers have been exceptional, and the sessions have gone down really well. I’m really happy to recommend them.”
Julie Hyett, UK Talent Lead, Aon Risk Solutions ★★★★★
Training made easy, the Bitesize way •
Training made easy, the Bitesize way •
All killer, no filler: our training sessions are crammed with high-value insights, and perfect for busy teams.
Live & interactive: real change doesn’t come from half-heartedly skimming through e-learning. We believe in bringing people together, to deliver memorable, engaging training experiences with learning that sticks.
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