Mental Health First Aid is a tweleve hour course. All participants recieve a full course handbook and an attendance certificate. The Royal Society for Public Health is developing accreditation for the course.

The course consists of four 3 hour modules (outlined below). Our open access courses take place over two days. In house courses can be delivered as two days or as four mornings/afternoons.

The course focuses on developing practical skills for crisis intervention. It isn't aimed at making people therapists, but at proving help in an emergency, before professional help can be obtained. This makes it ideal for people managing staff, or interacting with the public.

SESSION ONE

Why mental health first aid?

Mental health policy in England.

What is mental health?

Common mental health problems.

Attitudes and Shift anti-stigma campaign.

The five steps of mental health first aid.

What is depression?

Symptoms of depression.

Risk factors for depression.

Depression in the workplace.

SESSION TWO

Suicide in UK.

Non-judgemental listening skills.

Crisis first aid for overdose.

Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour.

First aid for depression.

Treatment and resources for depression.

Self-care.

SESSION THREE

What are anxiety disorders (PTSD, GAD, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD)?

Signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders.

Crisis first aid for panic attacks.

Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction.

Treatment and resources for anxiety disorders.

Other expressions of distress, including self-harm.

SESSION FOUR

What are psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)?

Symptoms of psychotic disorders.

Risk factors for psychosis.

Crisis first aid for acute psychosis.

Treatment and resources for psychosis.

Action planning for using MHFA.