Mental Health First Aid Certification Programme

Mental Health First Aid Certificate
What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)? We all experience life’s ups and downs yet how each of us copes with the downs differs. Mental Health First Aid is a programme that helps you understand how to deal with challenging life situations. It also teaches you how to support others who are going through a difficult time within your organisation.

Using real life situations, trained instructors show you and/or members of your team, how to listen without judgement, enabling you to actively support and encourage team members to seek professional help if needed.

What will you learn? You will learn a lifelong skill that will make a positive difference to you and others. This certification programme is mental health literacy, which through an educational workshop teaches you to give mental health first aid to those experiencing mental health distress, developing a mental illness or in a mental health crisis.

Please note: This course is not a therapy or support group.

Mental illness topics covered:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Substance misuse

Mental health crisis topics covered:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
- Panic attacks
- Severe psychotic states
- Severe effects from alcohol or drug misuse
- Aggressive behaviour

During a workshop, you will learn the ALGEE five step action plan:
- Approach, assess and assist any crisis
- Listen without judgement
- Give relevant and insightful support and information
- Encourage relevant professional help
- Encourage other type of supports in a mental health crisis

Course format:
The programme is 12-hour duration (six hours over two days) which is held either on your business premises (in groups six or above) or at the POD office (for your team and/or as part of a group from other organisations).

Everyone who attends the course receives their own copy of the MHFA manual, an ALGEE ‘five steps action plan’ card, a Mental Health First Aid Certificate (valid for 2 years) and a self-care pack – because helping others starts with helping yourself.