Mental Health First Aid Online
Become a Mental Health First Aider
Become a Mental Health First Aider. This is the MHFA England training. Join a community of over 3 million people worldwide who are trained in mental health first aid skills.
The course is now available for the first time online in response to the pandemic. The course has been especially adapted for online delivery. Whilst we always advocate for in-person training in mental health topics we recognise that with the training now being more vital than ever this needs to be made as accessible as possible. If you prefer in-person classroom training please see Public Mental Health First Aid Courses.
The course is split into four manageable sessions. Learning is divided between self-lead learning and live interactive virtual classroom sessions.
Self-lead learning format (Approx 5 hours in total)
An intuitive and interactive platform which guides you through learning via videos, work book activities, quizzes and manual reading.
Live sessions (4 x 2.5 hour sessions)
Facilitated by two Mental Health First Aid Instructors via the MHFA England online learning hub platform which is easy to use and access. We guide learners through the course with group discussions and activities. Participation within peoples learners comfort zones is actively encouraged and we welcome all questions.
Safety first
We always have two facilitators on each course to ensure we can keep everyone safe and supported whilst learning. We also limit numbers to a maximum of 14 people.
Course materials
Each learner receives a MHFA England detailed manual and workbook, MHFA England lanyard and action card. At the end you are a certified Mental Health First Aider and will receive an electronic certificate.
MHFA Online Course Breakdown
(total study time of approx. 15 hours)
Session one
Self-lead (1 hour):
Why mental health first aid
The mental health first aid action plan
What is mental health
Impact of mental health
Stress container
Live Session (2.5 hours)
Introduction to the course
ALGEE - the action plan
Stigma discussion
Risk and protective factors
Frame of Reference
The Mental Health Continuum
Introduction to the Stress Container
Session two
Self-lead (1.25 hours):
What is depression?
Risk factors for depression
Mental health first aid for depression
Introduction to suicide
Live session (2.5 hours):
Prevalence of suicide
Suicide, substance misuse and dual diagnosis
Analyse the impact of suicidal feelings
Recap of ALGEE and risk factors for suicide
Mental Health First Aid action plan for suicide
Non-judgemental listening
Practice using ALGEE in case study scenarios
Self-care
Session three
Self-lead (1.5 hours):
What is anxiety?
Mental health first aid for anxiety
What are eating disorders
What is self-harm?
Mental health first aid for self-harm
What are personality disorders?
Live session (2.5 hours):
ALGEE for anxiety
How to support someone who is having a panic attack
Crisis first aid
Non-judgemental listening activity
Applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan for anxiety
Recap of ALGEE for anxiety
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Recap of eating disorders and self-harm
Case study for eating disorders and self-harm
ALGEE for eating disorders and self-harm
Session four
Self-lead (1.25 hours)
What are psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?
Risk factors for psychosis
Mental health first aid for psychosis
Helpful and unhelpful responses
My action plan for using mental health first aid
Live session (2.5 hours):
Review of individual learning on psychosis
The development of symptoms of psychosis
Review the five steps of ALGEE for psychosis
Group discussion about MHFA Australia psychosis video
Case study activity using Mental Health First Aid action plan for psychosis
Recovery
How to build a mentally healthy workplace
Action plan to use Mental Health First Aid
Certificate complete
Classroom training
We continue to deliver the course in a face to face setting as restrictions allow. We have always opted for large bright training rooms and will be using even bigger rooms now to practice social distancing. We will also be running on reduced group sizes and practising increased hygiene and safety measures. See classroom adult mental health first aid courses
Youth training
The youth mental health first aid is for anyone who lives with, works with or supports young people aged 8 -18 years. The training is available to take face to face in a limited number of youth mental health first aid locations and also via online virtual classroom training for youth mental health first aid.
Private group training
We can host private training sessions for groups of 6 or more people - please get in touch: groups@transpiretraining.com or call 01277 801 844.