The aims of Mental Health First Aid are to:

• preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others

• provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state

• promote the recovery of good mental health

• provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem

• reduce stigma and discrimination through education

MHFA is developed and regulated by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) and England's Care Services Improvement Partnerships (CSIP). 

Who should take the training? 

The course is for anyone who may come into contact with a person with a mental health problem either in their workplace or life outside of work. 

It is appropriate for carers (formal and informal) and for people who have experienced a mental health problem.

Ordinary people who want to have a better understanding of mental health issues, rather than health professionals.

Those who would benefit:

• Support workers
• Employers/Managers/Human Resources
• Social services/Healthcare workers
• Benefits/Housing advisors
• Receptionists/Administrators
• Youth workers
• Older people’s services
• Anyone interested in mental health awareness
• Community staff and religious leaders
• Youth workers
• Family support workers
• Teachers
• Parents and families

Mental health problems affect as many as one in four of us. This course aims to give everyone the knowledge and confidence to recognise signs of mental health problems, and understand it better to reduce the stigma around mental illness. Mental health problems include anything from stress, anxiety, depression, gambling, substance misuse, compulsions, panic attacks to less common conditions such as psychosis, bipolar disorders, to name a few.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12-hour intensive course, usually delivered over 2 days. The course provides an overview of common mental health problems, causes, symptoms and treatments, and teaches people how to:

• recognise distress

• recognise the difference between Therapy and First Aid

• be confident in administering help in a First Aid situation

• provide initial help and guide a person towards appropriate support

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) can help to offer assistance to someone experiencing a mental health problem before obtaining professional help. It is similar to the first aid for physical accidents and emergencies that we are all familiar with. MHFA focus is on being able to provide knowledgeable, effective enough, in some cases to save a life from suicide, and respond to someone needing psychological assistance because of their mental distress.

MHFA is not to teach you to be a therapist. It will teach you to:

• Spot the early signs of a range of mental health conditions

• Feel confident to intervene and help someone experiencing a problem

• Provide help on a first aid basis

• Guide someone towards the right help

• Reduce the stigma of mental health problems