Being a Mental Health First Aider Course

Being a Mental Health First Aider – Online Course

Course overview
This CPD-accredited online course introduces the role of a Mental Health First Aider and the knowledge needed to recognise signs of mental health difficulties and provide appropriate initial support. It explores common mental health conditions, early warning signs, workplace wellbeing, communication, confidentiality and the importance of referring individuals to professional support when needed. The course also addresses self-care, professional boundaries and providing support remotely. It takes approximately one hour to complete.

Please note: this course provides theoretical knowledge and awareness of Mental Health First Aid. It does not qualify learners to diagnose or treat mental health conditions and does not replace practical, role-specific or other training that an employer may require.

What the course covers
• The purpose and principles of Mental Health First Aid
• The responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider
• Maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Personal wellbeing and self-care
• Mental Health First Aid in the workplace
• Employer support for Mental Health First Aiders
• Providing Mental Health First Aid remotely
• Understanding mental health and mental illness
• Early signs of mental health difficulties
• Self-awareness and indicators of positive mental wellbeing
• Approaches to improving mental wellbeing
• Providing appropriate initial mental health support
• Stress and anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Self-harm and suicide awareness
• Mental health stigma and encouraging supportive conversations
• Refresher training considerations

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for people who want to improve their understanding of mental health and support colleagues, employees or service users experiencing difficulties. It may be particularly useful for:
• Managers, supervisors and team leaders
• Human resources professionals
• Healthcare professionals and social care workers
• Education staff
• Employees across different workplace sectors
• Volunteers and voluntary organisations
• Staff with responsibility for supporting colleagues or service users
• Organisations seeking to promote workplace wellbeing and encourage early intervention

Practical benefits
• Improve awareness of early signs of mental health difficulties
• Understand how to offer appropriate initial support
• Recognise the limits and responsibilities of the Mental Health First Aider role
• Promote positive mental wellbeing and supportive workplace conversations
• Help challenge stigma surrounding mental health
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Recognise when to signpost individuals to professional support
• Develop awareness of self-care and personal wellbeing when supporting others
• Understand considerations for providing support remotely
• Support induction, refresher learning and continuing professional development

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the role and responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider
• Recognise possible early signs of mental health difficulties
• Identify common mental health conditions covered by the course
• Understand how to provide appropriate initial support without diagnosing or treating a condition
• Maintain suitable professional boundaries and respect confidentiality
• Recognise the importance of personal wellbeing and self-care
• Encourage supportive conversations and help reduce mental health stigma
• Understand when and how to signpost individuals towards professional assistance
• Describe ways to promote positive mental wellbeing in the workplace
• Understand key considerations when providing Mental Health First Aid remotely

Is this training a legal requirement?
The supplied course information states that UK law does not specifically require organisations to appoint Mental Health First Aiders. However, employers have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to protect employees’ health, safety and welfare and assess relevant workplace risks. Mental Health First Aid training may form part of an organisation’s wider approach to workplace wellbeing, depending on its needs and circumstances.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online multiple-choice assessment. After successfully passing, they receive an instant digital CPD-accredited certificate. The course is delivered online and can be accessed on a phone, tablet or computer. The supplied course information also describes instant access and flexible, self-paced learning.