MHFA accreditation runs out every 3 years. We can provide refresher training to maintain the accreditation for a further 3 years.
Course outcomes
As MHFAiders®, your employees 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 supports
- Practise active listening and empathy
- Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
- Discuss the MHFAider® role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
- Practise self-care
- Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®
- Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England
Format
- Online or face-to-face course structured across one 4 hour session. .
- Learning takes place through a mix of instructor led training, group discussions, individual and group activities.
- The session builds on the previous MHFA training, enabling the learner to gain confidence in supporting others with a Mental Health First Aid action plan.
- We limit numbers to 25 people per course so that instructors can keep people safe and supported while they learn.
- We strive for all of our learning content to be as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Takeaways
Everyone who completes this course gets:
- A hard copy workbook to support their learning throughout the course
- Continued access to the MHFAider Support App® for three years
- Continued access to ongoing learning opportunities, resources and exclusive events
- The opportunity to continue to be part of the largest MHFAider® community in England
The MHFA Refresher Training is for any Mental Health First Aider within your organisation that wishes to refresh their skills or completed the MHFA Training 3 years previous.
The role – the role of a Mental Health First Aider in the workplace is to be a point of contact for an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get appropriate help. As well as in a crisis, Mental Health First Aiders are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone who may be developing a mental health issue.
Mental Health First Aiders are not trained to be therapists or psychiatrists but they can offer initial support through non-judgemental listening and guidance.
At any one time one in four people will be experiencing depression, anxiety or issues relating to stress (Mind, 2020). We understand the importance of our workforce having access to a Mental Health First Aiders.
Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £56 billion each year. But for every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions, they get back £5.30 in reduced absence, presenteeism, and staff turnover (Deloitte, 2022).
Embedding MHFA training within any organisation or community also encourages people to talk more freely about mental health, reducing stigma and creating a more positive culture.
Mental Health First Aiders are trained to:
- Spot the early signs and symptoms of mental ill health
- Start a supportive conversation with a colleague who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress
- Listen to the person non-judgementally
- Assess the risk of suicide or self-harm
- Encourage the person to access appropriate professional support or self-help strategies. This might include encouraging access to internal support systems such as EAPs or in-house counselling services
- Escalate to the appropriate emergency services, if necessary
- Maintain confidentiality as appropriate
- Complete critical incident documents as and when necessary
- Protect themselves while performing their role
Mental Health First Aiders will:
- Listen
- Provide a supportive environment in which to discuss mental Health issues
- Support those seeking advice in making decisions that are right for them and their situation
- Provide information on the options available and refer the individual on to another support mechanism
- Attend training in relation to the role
- Attend regular meetings with the Mental Health First Aid lead to share experience and good practice
- Attend supervision when appropriate
Mental Health First Training costs normally £150 per individual. We recommend you train a minimum of eight staff members to receive a closed training session for as little as £750!