Overview
This qualification teaches delegates to be workplace Mental Health First Aiders, who will be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health issues and know how to effectively guide a person towards the right mental health support.
Prerequisites
This course is suitable for those looking to understand and improve their knowledge about mental health and to learn the skills to support their own and others’ positive wellbeing in the workplace.
Please be aware that this course focuses on employees in the workplace and covers subjects that some people may find distressing, including suicide and self-harm. If a delegate feels overwhelmed, they can leave the course at any time.
However, if you feel in advance that this subject may be too distressing for the delegate, please do not book them on without first asking them whether they would feel comfortable attending. If the delegate is unsure whether this topic is suitable for them, please encourage them to contact us to discuss their concerns. For support with your mental health, please contact Samaritans on 116 123, or NHS 111.
Delegates must be 16 or older to attend this course.
Delegates will learn how to
- an in depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
- practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental illness
- an understanding of how to perform some physical first aid as part of their response to mental illness
- the confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress
- knowledge on how to implement reasonable mental health adjustments when an individual returns to work
- the skills to create a positive mental health culture in the workplace.
Outline
- What is mental health?
- What is the difference between a mental health episode, crisis and condition?
- What factors can affect our mental health?
- The mental health continuum
- Roles and responsibilities of a Mental health First Aider and Responder
- Key attributes and behaviours of a Mental Health First Aider
- Mental health action plan protocol (DR EFG)
- How to support an individual (and their line manager) when returning to work after an absence due to poor mental health.
- Physical first aid skills to be used in response to mental illness
- How to carry out a risk assessment when supporting an individual
- How to spot the difference between a medical emergency and an imminent threat to life (including how to identify which mental health conditions may be described as either) and what action to take
- Recognising stress and how to support someone who may be experiencing stress
- Recognising when someone is in crisis
- Suicide continuum, risk factors, signs and symptoms
- Recognising and understanding self-harm, eating disorders, PTSD & OCD
- Psychosis - including delusions, thought disorder and hallucinations
- Bipolar disorder
- How to display empathy
- Key skills to support an individual with poor mental health, including where to signpost them and how to have important wellbeing conversations
- Overview of key legislation relevant to mental health
- Exploring attitudes around mental health and how to create a positive culture in the workplace through influence and action planning
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
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QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.