What is Mental Health First Aid?
SIMPLY PUT, IT'S
FIRST-AID FOR MENTAL HEALTH
... that's it. This is the mental health version of a physical first aid qualification: an internationally recognised qualification that confirms you (or your staff) are trained in the necessary skills and techniques to spot the signs of poor mental health, handle a conversation with someone who is struggling safely and effectively, signpost them on to appropriate support (including professional) and take care of yourself in the process. It will help you communicate better, empathise more, and care for those around you – and in extreme cases it may help you save a life.
For organisations, training employees as MHFAiders is a key part of building a healthy workplace and ensuring staff, especially managers, are equipped with the confidence and skills to handle distressed people. If you are employer, UK data says that at any time around 50% of your workforce have experienced at least one symptom of burnout, and 15% are experiencing symptoms of poor mental health (source: MHFA England 2022). Investing in healthy workplaces is more than just good practice – it makes pragmatic sense, with Deloitte calculating that every £1 invested in effective wellbeing delivers over £5 in benefits, measured in retained staff, reduced sick days and increased employee engagement and productivity (source: Deloitte 2022).
Obviously, I would say all that. I’m an instructor! But it’s not just me. The MHFA approach – just one part of healthy workplace development but a well-evidenced one - is endorsed by the UK’s Royal Society of Public Health in the UK and recommended by the. Here’s The Guardian newspaper showcasing some of the practical techniques.
I am a qualified instructor with MHFA England, so this is the course I deliver. I teach both the classic version, and one adapted for aid workers. I run open courses whose places can be booked by anyone, but I also do closed in-house courses for organisations (if you have more than 8 people to train then it’s generally better and cheaper to run this way, plus we can tailor content to your needs and you get a full independent evaluation report into the bargain). For more information or to discuss your needs click here to book in an initial chat, or feel free to email me at hello.imogen.wall@gmail.com and we’ll set up a time for me to talk you through the options.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
SEE IF ANY OF THE OPTIONS
BELOW ARE RIGHT FOR YOU...
WHO IS IT FOR?
WHAT DO YOU GET?
WHAT DO WE COVER?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
MHFA FOR AID WORKERS
OPEN COURSES &
IN-HOUSING TRAINING
I run open courses that anyone can sign up for – individuals, or cohorts from organisations.
My next course specifically for the aid sector will start on Friday 27 September and run for five Friday afternoons (see below for dates and times). The cost is £400 or £350 if you are on my mailing list and if you need help convincing your organisation to cover this (they should as it's a workplace qualification!) just ask.
The link to book is here
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Friday 27/09: 1300-1700 BST
Friday 04/10: 1300-1700 BST
Friday 11/10: 1300-1700 BST
Friday 18/10: 1300-1700 BST
Friday 25/10: 1300-1700 BST
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Got questions, or want to chat further to see if it's for you? Or interested but can't make these dates? No problem. There will likely be another Nov-Dec: Ping me an email and we'll set up a time to chat.
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Also note that I take cohorts from organisations on these course - book more than two places and you'll get an organisational discount (email me for information).
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I also run in-house training – if you’ve got more than 8 people to upskill, drop me an email at hello.imogen.wall@gmail.com or book in some time for a chat.
Cancellation policy: Places on open courses can be postponed or cancelled up to 7 days before the start. Within 7 days of the start delegates will be offered a place on another course. Full cancellation and refund is possible only in extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the trainer. Courses cannot be cancelled or postponed once participants have already begun training.