Mental Health First Aiders

Stress, anxiety and depression are the biggest cause of sickness absence in our society. Mental ill health is responsible for 91 million working days lost every year. The Centre for Mental Health estimates that mental ill health costs UK employers £34.9 billion each year, but simple steps to improve the management of mental health in the workplace will allow employers to save 30% or more of these costs.

Run in association with Understanding Minds, this two day course qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider, giving you:

An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of a range of mental health issues
Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress using the Mental Health First Aid action plan
Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether through self-help resources, internal support such as EAP, or external sources such as their GP
An understanding of how to keep themselves safe while performing their duties
Learning takes place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities

Please note that this course needs a minimum of 8 people in order to run. 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
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. Everyone who completes the course gets:

A certificate of attendance to say they are a Mental Health First Aider
A manual to refer to whenever they need it
A quick reference card for the Mental Health First Aid action plan
A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support their own mental health. The course runs from 9:00am through to 5:00pm. Refreshments are available from 9am.

We provide:

Course material
Note pad and pen
Polos!
Also includes:

Free on-site parking
Refreshments throughout the day
Lunch at a local restaurant
Free WiFi
Our Norwich on-site parking (NR3 1UB) is free and situated 5 minutes walk along the river to our training centre at St James Mill. If you arrive by train it is about 20 minutes on the Riverside walk or a short taxi ride to get to us. View full directions for Norwich and all our other venues.

You will learn in a relaxed environment with a group of people (no more than 12 people). A specialist tutor will guide and encourage you through all the learning necessary to develop your skills and questions are always welcome.