Course Overview

As a MHFAider® will be able to:

Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention.
Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports.
Practise active listening and empathy.
Have a conversation with improved mental health.
literacy around language and stigma.
Discuss the MHFAider® role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality.
Practise self-care.
Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®.
Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England.

A TONIC RIDER COURSE

Our Supporters

Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health.

Not everyone will experience mental illness, but everyone will have periods of time when they struggle with their mental well-being, just as we have physical health issues from time to time. This course will train you as a MHFAider®.

Delivered over four online live sessions‭, ‬this course will teaching you the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health‭, ‬be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support‭.‬

Course Details

Throughout this course you will attend four online live sessions (each a maximum of 4 hours), twice a week for two weeks. Learning takes place through instructor led training, group discussions, individual and group activities.

The course will be delivered in a safe online space, and group and individual well being will be centred throughout the duration of the course.

The live sessions are completed under a group agreement, adhering to group confidentiality and personal safety.

Trigger warnings will be given throughout, and learners will be reminded to be aware of their own personal safety, with the option of support from the instructor after the live session.

Courses can accommodate 8-16 learners. Upon completion of the course you will receive a digital certificate of attendance to say you are a MHFAider®.

You will also receive:

A hard copy workbook to support their learning throughout the course.
A digital manual to refer to whenever they need it after completing the course.
A wallet-sized reference card with the Mental Health First Aid action plan.
A digital MHFAider® certificate.
Access to the MHFAider Support App® for three years.
Access to ongoing learning opportunities, resources and exclusive events.
The opportunity to be part of the largest MHFAider® community in England.

Course Contents

Course content Each session is a maximum of four hours long which includes
a 20 minute break, and time for questions at the end.

Live Session 1

Mental Health First Aid and the action plan
The MHFAider® role and self-care
Helpful and unhelpful language
Useful models to support the role

Live Session 2

What influences mental health? 
What is anxiety? 
Crisis first aid
Active listening and empathy
What are eating disorders?
What is self-harm? 
What is substance misuse?

Live Session 3

Applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan
What is depression? 
What is suicide?
Crisis first aid continued
What is psychosis?

Live Session 4

Recovery and lived experience
Boundaries in the MHFAider® role
Moving forward in the MHFAider® role
My MHFA action plan Participants must attend all sessions to qualify as a MHFAider®.