scotland's mental health first aid course (SMHFA)

In-House Training Courses > Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA)

A ‘Mental Health First Aider’ can offer initial comfort and support in a crisis until help arrives. After attending this course, delegates can help to promote a greater understanding of mental ill-health and recovery in the workplace and be more confident in their approach to help someone in distress.

Course Context

Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) 2-day course helps delegates to become more informed about how to respond to a mental health crisis and covers the most common mental health problems. Participants develop skills in asking appropriate questions; listening without judgement; giving reassurance that recovery is possible; and providing information about where help can be found.

The SMHFA course does not train people to be mental health workers. It offers an overview of mental ill-health in the workplace and helps to remove stigma and fear. Delegates practise listening and responding skills which give them confidence to provide initial support to a person in distress in a real-life situation.

Mental Health First Aid is an initial response to distress, in the same way as physical first aid is an initial response to an injury. The support provided by a First Aider is only given until other suitable or professional help can be accessed.

Training Delivery

This training is delivered as an 'in-house' course for up to 24 people, or a minimum of 8 people attending. The SMHFA course takes 12 hours to complete and is delivered over 2 full days (consecutive or separate days, depending on availability).

The course is facilitated by a qualified SMHFA instructor and quality is continuously monitored by NHS Health Scotland.

This is an interactive course which includes group discussions, analysis of case studies, video clips and scenario exercises. The instructor will ensure that all delegates feel supported and will be sensitive to the issues raised during the course.

Who Is It For?

The SMHFA training course is suitable for anyone with an interest in mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Key Benefits

Respond appropriately in a mental health crisis. This course helps delegates build confidence to turn knowledge into action.
Recognise when a person might need help, i.e. spot the signs of distress.
Help save a life by learning basic suicide intervention skills.
Appreciate that anyone can be affected by mental ill-health and understand the factors which influence our wellbeing.
Approach a person with confidence and ask the appropriate questions when you notice a deterioration in their mental health.
Reassure a person that recovery is possible with the correct support.
Share knowledge with others in the workplace about mental ill-health and how the ‘first aid approach’ can help people in distress and potentially save a life.

Course Content

Guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider; explanation of the ‘first aid response.’
Statistics and facts relating to mental ill-health in the workplace
Attitudes to mental health issues; stigma; equalities; discrimination
Factors that influence our wellbeing
The mental health continuum – a model which illustrates how our mental health fluctuates according to internal and external factors.
Listening and responding skills
Explanation and practice of a framework (ALGEE), to help support a person in distress

The recovery message – how recovery is not only possible but probable if we all feel able to talk about our mental health and can access appropriate support
The impact of alcohol and drugs on mental health
Introduction to suicide intervention
Explanation of self-harm and PTSD
Understanding depression, anxiety and psychosis and how to offer first aid to someone in distress or advice of where to get help.
Self-help strategies

All delegates will receive a comprehensive manual containing relevant websites for further information on each topic covered in the course. On completion of the course, delegates will receive a certificate of attendance from NHS Health Scotland.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England

Please click here for details of the MHFA England 2-day course.

A testimonial for Scotland's Mental Health First Aid course:

“This training helped me practise asking questions which I previously would have found difficult to ask, such as asking someone
if they had suicidal thoughts. I now know how I would go about speaking to someone who is in distress and give them
reassurance that someone is listening to them and helping them access the correct support.”

Related Training Courses

Mental Health Awareness Training for Managers

As managers play a key role in supporting their team members’ physical and mental health, this 1-day course endorses the importance of workplace mental health and equips managers with the basic knowledge essential to supporting a mental health diagnosis.

Mental Health Awareness: Training for all Employees

As basic training for all in mental health awareness is considered good practice, this course is suitable for anyone working in a team environment. Focusing on the most common mental health problems, the training includes recognising signs and symptoms and advice on practical strategies to support others.

Suicide First Aid Through Understanding Suicide Intervention

A City & Guilds accredited 1-day course which can be applied to any professional or personal setting. Those who attend will gain the knowledge and tools to understand that suicide is one of the most preventable deaths and that simple skills can help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe from their thoughts and stay alive.

Find out more

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.

Email us here

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."

— Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Officer, Sophie Holland

AGE UK

"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."

— The Association of Electoral Administrators

"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."

— Roger Bullivant Limited

"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"

— Leeds City College

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