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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Mental ill health can strike at any time and can affect people from all walks of life.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening. You’ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe. What’s more, you’ll gain an understanding of how to support positive well-being and tackle stigma in the world around you.

Please note you must be 16+ to attend these courses, however the content and skills learnt can support anyone.

We offer a variety of Mental Health First Aid courses, find out more and book your place using the links below:

 

Mental Health First Aid

With our new and improved Mental Health First Aid training you will gain:

  • A deeper understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect people’s wellbeing
  • Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
  • The confidence to step in and support someone to recover their health by guiding them to appropriate support
  • Three years of access to the MHFAider Support App® with 24/7 digital support
  • Access to exclusive resources, ongoing learning opportunities, and the benefit of joining England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders®
  • All MHFA England Instructor Members are accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health, meaning you can expect a quality assured and consistent training experience

This training, usually £325 per delegate has been funded by Public Health & Cornwall Council for anyone who lives or works in Cornwall.

The only cost to the delegate is the £35.50 cost of the course resources.

This course is available in a digital classroom in 4 sessions or can be delivered in a physical classroom over 2 days.

Please note, participants must fully attend all sessions.

Click here to book your training course place in a physical classroom

Click here to book your training course place in a digital classroom

 

Mental Health First Aid Youth

This two day course qualifies you as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, giving you:

  • An in-depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing
  • Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
  • Confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress
  • Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
  • Knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s through self-help sites, their place of learning, the NHS, or a mix – engaging with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate
  • Ability to support a young person with a long term mental health issue or disability to thrive
  • Tools to look after your own mental wellbeing ​

This training, usually £300* per delegate has been fully funded by Public Health & Cornwall Council for anyone who lives or works in Cornwall.

The only cost to the delegate is the £35.50 cost of the workbook.

This course is available in a digital classroom in 4 sessions or can be delivered face to face over 2 days.

Please note, participants must fully attend all sessions.

Click here to book your training course place in a physical classroom

Click here to book your training course place in a digital classroom

 

Mental Health First Aid - One Day (First Aid Champion)

The one day mental health awareness and skills course qualifies you as a workplace MHFA Champion.

  • Workplace MHFA Champions have: 
  • An understanding of common mental health issues  
  • Knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness
  • Ability to spot signs of mental ill health 
  • Skills to support positive well-being.

Through a mix of group activities, presentations and discussions, the course is built around a Mental Health First Aid action plan.

You must be 16+ to attend this course and the skills learnt are most appropriate for the workplace.

Cost: £28 (This amount covers the cost of participant workbooks. The actual training delivery is free of charge).

Click here to book your place

 

Mental Health First Aid - Half Day (Awareness)

This half day course is an introductory session to raise awareness of mental health, it is offered face to face or via a digital classroom. It is designed to give you:

  • An understanding of what mental health is and how to challenge stigma.
  • A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues.
  • An introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing

Cost: £15.50 (This amount covers the cost of participant workbooks. The actual training delivery is free of charge).

Click here to book your training course place in a physical classroom

Click here to book your training course place in a digital classroom

 

Mental Health First Aid Youth - Half Day (Awareness)

This introductory session raises awareness of young people’s mental health. It covers:

  • Some of the common mental health issues affecting young people, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis
  • Skills to work more effectively with young people living with mental health issues
  • Ways to support young people with a mental health issue and relate to their experiences

Cost: £15.50 (This amount covers the cost of participant workbooks. The actual training delivery is free of charge).

Click here to book your place on this training session

 

Mental Health First Aid - Refresher

Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAider®) should take the MHFA Refresher course every three years to:

  • Keep their awareness of mental health support current
  • Update their knowledge of mental health and what influences it
  • Practice applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan
  • Receive access to MHFAider® Support and Benefits for three years

This is a four-hour session with a mix of presentations, discussions and activities.

Cost: £25.50 (This amount covers the cost of participant workbooks. The actual training delivery is free of charge).

Click here for more information and to book your place

 

The Orange Button Community Scheme

The Orange Button is a badge worn by people who have taken part in Quality Assured mental health or suicide prevention training. While they’re not able to counsel people, they can help someone find relevant local services.

The Orange Button signifies that the person displaying it is:

  • OK to say/hear the word suicide
  • Can listen without judgement
  • Can direct people to information and support

Once you have completed at least three hours of Quality Assured mental health first aid or suicide prevention training you can become an Orange Button holder. This is to ensure you are equipped with the skills to listen and signpost people.

Find out more about the scheme, including how it works and how you can get involved