Full details and bookings here
About this course
This Adult Mental Health First Aid course is the most comprehensive (MHFA) England accredited programme, valued at £300 by MHFA England. We have subsidised this course as part of a ‘Support Local Cambridge’ campaign, during this difficult and challenging time.
Is Mental Health First Aid training a mandatory requirement?
Your employer has a “duty of care”, (this means a legal obligation), to support their employees’ health, safety, and wellbeing. Recruiting Mental Health First Aiders demonstrates a commitment towards promoting positive mental health during this difficult time.
This Adult Two Day MHFA England course is the only recognised training programme that qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider. All our MHFA Instructors have completed the training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, (RSPH).
Who needs a Mental Health First Aid training course?
This course is for everyone. (see also occupations tab). Having fully qualified Mental health first aiders within your workplace, community, family, and social circles, supports a shared language around mental health and addresses barriers such as stigma, including self-stigmatisation. It also enhances self-awareness, and emotional literacy. Just as physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid saves lives, prevents worsening, and promotes recovery from a mental health issue. Not to mention the bottom line. You can view a recent impact report here.
What does this Mental Health First Aid course teach me?
Using evidence-based training, this means we have real data, from significant credible studies; you will develop practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues. (See also course topics tab above)
Learners will develop the following:
- Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress.
- Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening.
- Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further and appropriate support.
- An in depth understanding of the factors that can affect well-being.
- Understanding of common mental illness in detail as well as crisis management in mental health.
- An overview of law and policy around mental health, discrimination litigation, and why your employer needs a health and wellness strategy.
Who are MHFA England?
MHFA is a global movement active in 24 countries. Each country licenses their own MHFA programme separately – you can see a list of all international MHFA programmes at mhfainternational.org.
Mental Health First Aid training came to England in 2007. The Department of Health: National Institute of Mental Health in England (NIMHE) developed and launched the programme as part of a national approach to improve public mental health. MHFA England are the Licensed Provider of Mental Health First Aid training from MHFA International. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers a range of mental health courses in communities across the country.
MHFA England’s overall vision is to normalise society’s attitudes and behaviours around mental health, by developing the skills we need to look after our own and others’ wellbeing.
What happens after the programme, and what are my roles and responsibilities as a mental health first aider in the workplace?
We follow up this programme with resources tailored to your individual needs. For example, the role of mental health first aid in the workplace and implementing mental health first aid into your organisation. We also champion local community resources, and self-help tools.
How will distancing rules be followed during a practical classroom delivery?
We are responsibly running this public classroom course with strict COVID secure training methods in place. (see also additional information tab above) We appreciate not everyone wants, or has access to, a quiet online training set up of their own. This face to face classroom format is popular with NHS and front line workers, volunteers, teachers, construction workers, or site managers as well as individuals who are working from home, but often due to home schooling and tech limitations, cannot attend the alternative online 2 day Adult MHFA England course.
We have worked hard to make sure you feel comfortable and enjoy the course despite social distancing and new non-contact ways to teach.
Whilst physical distancing rules remain in place, our f2f classroom courses are limited to a maximum of 12, (as opposed to 16 under normal circumstances). We have supersized our venues, which have ground floor windows and ample break out space. The venue for this course is not currently used by the public, and we have a QR code for track and trace.
We are now well versed in adapting the training to meet our strict risk assessment. The space required for any more than 12 means we all need to shout because we are spread out, or mask up, which hinders the discussion and energy of this programme. (Masks are to be worn in the kitchen and corridor areas).
Group exercises are completed in separate rooms followed by feedback safely in the main hall.
What to expect and how to prepare for your classroom training.
On arrival, you will be given your own goodie pack with hand sanitiser, manuals, workbooks, and everything you need for the course. Come with an open mind and burning questions.
Our instructors are experienced in creating and facilitating a non-judgemental learning environment. The MHFA course also teaches participants to take away this attitude into their own lives following the training. All learners are made to feel safe and we often see the group bond as a result.
What do I need to bring?
You may wish to bring a notebook for any additional notes. Covid secure refreshments are complementary throughout the training, but we do ask you to bring your own favourite mug, and your lunch. There is ample fridge space and Budgens 1-mile, fast food outlets and supermarkets 2.5 miles. We have everything else covered.
We are also fully aware of the anxiety that many students have over coming into a public space. There is a lot to think about which we have already thought about. You are in safe hands.
Anything else.
Our open public courses are memorable and according to delegate feedback, life changing for some. By running open courses that are inclusive and we attract a mixed demographic which we believe is beneficial to all as we continue to learn from each other and grow as a more open minded and tolerant society.
The course curriculum is outlined below:
Day 1
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
Day 2
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
Throughout the course, you will also receive additional industry/sector specific information, toolkits, and advice around implementing Mental Health First Aid into your organisation.
Free parking and complementary refreshments
