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Practical Training for Workplace Mental Health First Aiders

Mental Health Awareness & First Aid Training 1 day

Mental Health Awareness and First Aid Training helps identify potential and actual mental health problems in the workplace. The role of Mental Health First Aiders is to render immediate support to the person suffering a mental health disorder. They stabilise the immediate situation.

Available as an open course at venues across the UK, as live online training via Microsoft Teams, or as bespoke in-house training tailored to your organisation.

Quality Training
Established 1997
6 CPD Hours
Delivery Options Upcoming Dates

Course Overview

What is Mental Health Awareness & First Aid?

Many organisations are now investing in mental health first aid training to ensure that key members of staff are equipped to identify and respond to mental health problems in the workplace. Mental health first aiders render immediate support to colleagues suffering a mental health disorder, stabilise the immediate situation and help people access the appropriate professional care services. This course complements broader personal development training and is particularly relevant for organisations that have also invested in handling difficult people skills for their managers.

We have divided this course into three phases. In the first phase, we explore what constitutes good mental health and then, by contrast, describe the signs, symptoms, causes and triggers associated with common mental health disorders, including anxiety, stress, anger, upset and panic attacks.

In the second phase, we cover what mental health first aiders can do to provide practical, effective and immediate care for colleagues experiencing mental health difficulties. We introduce therapeutic communication skills: the study of how to use words to positively affect others and help stabilise difficult situations. Unlike our broader communication skills training, this phase focuses specifically on conversations in the context of mental health distress.

In the third phase, we look at the longer-range support that mental health first aiders can provide. This includes how to influence the work environment in order to reduce the likelihood of further mental health episodes, and how to refer colleagues to the relevant mental health services when professional care is required.

Core Skills

The Key Skills Covered

This course equips workplace mental health first aiders with six evidence-based skill sets. Together, they provide the knowledge, confidence and practical tools needed to support colleagues effectively and help create a healthier, more supportive working environment.

  1. 1

    Understanding Good Mental Health

    Develop a clear, working definition of good mental health so that departures from it become easier to identify. Understanding what mental wellbeing looks like in practice is the essential starting point for any mental health first aider.

  2. 2

    Recognising Mental Health Disorders

    Learn to identify the signs, symptoms, causes and triggers of common mental health disorders, including anxiety, stress, panic attacks and mood disorders. Early recognition enables faster, more effective intervention and prevents situations from escalating.

  3. 3

    Immediate First Aid Support

    Learn the correct immediate response when a colleague is experiencing a mental health episode. Take appropriate action based on sound knowledge and a calm, structured approach that stabilises the situation without causing further distress.

  4. 4

    Therapeutic Communication Skills

    Develop the skill of using words deliberately and carefully to positively affect others. Therapeutic communication is the core tool of the mental health first aider, enabling calm, supportive conversations that help colleagues feel heard and safe.

  5. 5

    Creating a Supportive Work Environment

    Learn how to influence the work environment to reduce the likelihood of mental health problems arising. Longer-range support includes identifying risk factors, promoting psychological safety and fostering a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help.

  6. 6

    Referral to Professional Services

    Know the limits of your role as a mental health first aider and when professional intervention is required. Learn how to guide colleagues towards the appropriate mental health care services with sensitivity, clarity and respect for their dignity.

Who Is This Course For?

Who Should Attend This Mental Health Awareness & First Aid Training Course?

Designed for anyone who has, or will take on, a mental health first aider role within their organisation.

Designated Mental Health First Aiders

Gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to fulfil your mental health first aider role effectively and responsibly.

Managers and Team Leaders

Learn to recognise and respond to mental health difficulties in your team before they escalate into more serious problems.

HR and Wellbeing Professionals

Build the practical skills needed to support employee wellbeing initiatives and assist individuals at critical moments.

Health and Safety Representatives

Extend your remit to include mental health awareness alongside your existing physical health and safety responsibilities.

Also beneficial for HR professionals responsible for employee wellbeing policies, health and safety representatives expanding their remit, and senior managers who want a deeper understanding of how to support their teams through mental health difficulties.

Course Agenda

Mental Health Awareness & First Aid Training Course Details

AM

Morning Session • Understanding mental health and recognising disorders

Establish a clear understanding of good mental health, learn to identify common mental health disorders, recognise the signs and symptoms to watch out for, and understand the workplace triggers that can cause or worsen mental health episodes.

We begin by establishing a clear, practical definition of good mental health. Rather than relying on abstract concepts, we explore what psychological wellbeing looks like in everyday life and in the workplace, covering the key characteristics that enable people to function productively, manage stress effectively and maintain positive relationships. Understanding this baseline is essential before we can identify when something has gone wrong.
Building on our understanding of good mental health, we explore what mental health disorders are, how they differ from ordinary fluctuations in mood and wellbeing, and why they require a thoughtful, informed response. We examine the most common conditions encountered in the workplace, including anxiety, stress, depression, panic attacks and anger-related disorders, and explain how they affect thinking, behaviour and performance.
Recognising that a colleague may be experiencing a mental health difficulty often depends on your ability to notice the early signs before the situation becomes acute. We cover the observable indicators of common mental health conditions: changes in behaviour, communication, appearance and performance that may signal distress. We also discuss how to approach the situation sensitively when you suspect a problem, without overstepping your role as a first aider.
Mental health disorders do not arise at random. We examine the internal and external factors that can trigger or worsen mental health conditions in a workplace context. These include unmanageable workloads, poor working relationships, lack of control, major life changes and underlying personal vulnerabilities. Understanding triggers helps mental health first aiders identify colleagues who may be at elevated risk and take appropriate early steps.
The morning closes with an introduction to the immediate support a mental health first aider can provide when a colleague is experiencing an episode. We cover the principles of mental health first aid: staying calm, creating a safe and private space, using non-judgemental language, listening actively and knowing when to escalate. We also clarify what a mental health first aider should not attempt to do, and why staying within appropriate boundaries is essential to the welfare of the person in distress.
PM

Afternoon Session • Therapeutic communication, long-range support and referral

Learn how to use language purposefully to support colleagues in distress, discover the longer-range support mental health first aiders can provide, understand the appropriate limits of your role, and learn how to refer colleagues to the right professional services.

Words have the power to calm distress or deepen it. Therapeutic communication is the deliberate, skilled use of language to create a sense of safety, understanding and hope in someone who is struggling. We cover the core principles: active listening, empathetic acknowledgement, non-judgemental language, open questioning and constructive reframing. You will practise these skills in realistic scenarios and receive feedback from the trainer so that you leave with practical techniques you can apply immediately.
Mental health first aiders are not therapists, but they do have a valuable role to play beyond the immediate episode. We explore the longer-range support that first aiders can provide: regular informal check-ins, helping colleagues access resources and signposting, advocating for reasonable adjustments to workload or working conditions, and supporting a gradual return to full functioning. We also discuss how to maintain appropriate boundaries so that the relationship remains helpful rather than becoming an additional source of pressure for either party.
Knowing the boundaries of your role is as important as knowing how to help. We clarify what a mental health first aider can and cannot reasonably provide, and why attempting to go beyond those boundaries can harm both the colleague and the first aider. We cover the signs that a situation requires escalation to a line manager, HR or occupational health, and those that indicate the need for urgent professional or clinical support. Clear boundaries protect everyone involved and make the first aider role sustainable over time.
Mental health first aiders need to know where to direct colleagues who require professional support. We provide an overview of the main mental health care services available in the UK: GPs, NHS mental health services, Employee Assistance Programmes, occupational health, counselling services and crisis support lines. We cover how to make a referral sensitively, how to present the options clearly to the person concerned, and how to follow up appropriately after a referral has been made.
The course closes with a structured personal action planning session. Each delegate identifies the three to five changes they will make when they return to work, specifying exactly what they will do differently, when, and how they will know it is working. You will also review the post-course support available, including access to the post-course portal and three months of free telephone coaching to support you as you begin applying your new skills in practice.

Availability and Pricing

Delivery Options

Choose the delivery format that best fits your schedule and team.

All options deliver the same high-quality content.

Online Live Training

£350 +VAT

per delegate

Interactive live sessions delivered via Teams using our superior green-screen technology.

  • Same content as face-to-face
  • Learn from home or office
  • Delivered via MS Teams
  • Laptop or tablet with webcam
View Online Dates
Most Popular

Open Course

£475 +VAT

per delegate

Early bird offers available

Join scheduled courses at venues across the UK including London, Birmingham, Manchester & more.

  • Venues across the UK
  • 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • Tea and coffee from 8:45 am
  • Network with peers
Book Open Course

Bespoke In-House

£2250+VAT

per training day

We come to you. Training delivered at your premises, tailored to your team's specific needs.

  • Your premises or online
  • Tailored to your organisation
  • Dates to suit your schedule
  • We can train in your timezone
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All Our Training Includes

Full 1 day of expert training delivered by an experienced trainer
CPD-endorsed course: 6 CPD training hours (plus 2-3 additional hours via post-course online learning)
Full digital interactive course notes
Official training certificate
Access to free additional training material via our post-course portal
3 months of free telephone coaching while you implement your learning

Questions? Call 020 3856 3037 or 01452 856091

Upcoming Dates

Next Available Course Dates

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No upcoming dates are currently listed.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability.

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Course FAQs

You can book directly online via our course dates page, call us on 020 3856 3037, or make an enquiry and we will call you back. We accept payment by BACS, cheque or credit card. Once booked, you will receive a confirmation email with full joining instructions.
Yes. We can deliver this course exclusively for your team at your premises or online, on dates to suit you. Bespoke in-house training is priced per day rather than per delegate, making it cost-effective for groups of four or more. We can also tailor the content to address your organisation's specific challenges.
Yes, the training is highly interactive. Sessions include group discussions, exercises, case studies and individual action planning. The trainer actively teaches expert content rather than simply facilitating discussion, so delegates leave with structured knowledge they can apply immediately. The style is engaging and practical throughout.
Delegates come from a wide range of roles and sectors. Many are formally designated as mental health first aiders within their organisations; others are managers, team leaders and HR professionals who want to develop their confidence in supporting the mental wellbeing of their teams. Delegates represent industries including healthcare, education, finance, engineering and the public sector. What they share is a genuine desire to provide better support to colleagues experiencing mental health difficulties.
Open courses run from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Delegates are welcome to arrive from 8:45 am; tea and coffee are available from that time. The course includes mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks plus a lunch break.

Have a question that is not answered here?

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On This Page

  1. 1 Course Overview
  2. 2 Key Skills
  3. 3 Who Should Attend
  4. 4 Course Agenda
  5. 5 Delivery Options
  6. 6 Upcoming Dates
  7. 7 FAQs

Book This Course

Online Live Training £350 +VAT
Open Course £475 +VAT
Bespoke In-House £2250 +VAT/day
Book Open Course Enquire About In-House

Questions? Call us on

020 3856 3037
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Customer Reviews

What Delegates Say About This Course

Trustpilot
Read Our Customer Reviews
★★★★★

"This was an excellent course with a well-thought-out analytical approach to common challenges we all face. I feel well-equipped to handle a variety of current and future problems at work and in my personal life. I would recommend this course to anyone. The summary statements were very helpful and practical, and the frameworks can be applied to any situation. The trainer was highly engaging and interesting. They did a great job of holding our attention and making the material easy to digest. 100/100"

Aine McCarthy

IGTP

★★★★★

"The course content was fascinating and very relevant to me. Encouraged me to review my positives and negatives but importantly provided clear instruction on tools and models to enhance my personal and professional development: Brilliant. The trainers presentation was first class, well delivered, informed, relevant and with the right energy and use of language."

Nathan Cook

Cable Management Products

★★★★★

"The content was informative and had a good balance of group activities with the main topics. I found the sections on time management, dealing with difficult conversations and how to keep yourself motivated, very useful. The information was clear and concise. Again a good balance in the way it was taught. The examples and good humour helped with understanding the various models. "

Pratima Mistry

British Dental Association

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Ready to Train Your Mental Health First Aiders?

Enrol on our next open course, book a live online session, or arrange tailored in-house training for your team. We can deliver this course at your premises on dates to suit your organisation.

Book Open Course Enquire about In-House

Or speak to a member of our team directly:

020 3856 3037 01452 856091