This is a blended learning approach and requires you to complete some pre-course work. A link to the online learning will be sent to you by the trainer nearer the time. The work must be completed in order to become a qualified and accredited Mental Health First Aider.

The guidance from MHFA England suggests the following pre course durations

Individual Learning Session 1 : 1 hr
Individual Learning Session 2 : 2 hr
Individual Learning Session 3 : 2 hr
Individual Learning Session 4 : 2 hr

This course is for ESCC employees to train as Mental Health First Aiders to support their colleagues in the workplace. Please ensure you read the attached ‘MHFA supporting guidance and commitments’ document and the information below carefully as this contains full information about the course and the MHFA scheme.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised two day accredited training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. There are four sessions to this course, 2 on each of 2 days, and allowing ample time for coffee/comfort breaks.

MHFA training won’t teach you to be a therapist, but just like physical first aid, it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. The MHFA course is delivered by a quality assured Instructor accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, who are trained to keep people safe and supported while they learn.

You’ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone whilst keeping yourself safe.

What managers are agreeing to when approving their staff member’s attendance on this course:

• To releasing your staff member for the two day training course, plus any post support sessions (approx. 2 sessions lasting a maximum of 3 hours each).


• To releasing your staff member for related meetings and/or training (approximately 2 per year).


• Allowing time to support colleagues when needed (often at short notice).

What you are committing to:

• Undertaking the accredited training and any additional training (where required) to acquire and maintain your MHFA certificate.


• Becoming part of the pool of accredited MHFAers and providing mental health first aid within your workplace as needed, at your level of competence and training.


• Being able to be called away from your normal duties at short notice if required.


• Acting as a Mental Health Champion and partaking in ad-hoc wellbeing events (when required and dependent on needs of the service).


• Partaking in post training support as required/directed.

Learning takes place through a blend of instructor-led live sessions and self-learning activities to develop an individual’s awareness of mental health and develop practical skills to assist others.

The course covers how to support someone to access the resources they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This could include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.

You will gain - a deeper understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect people’s wellbeing, including your own

• Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues


• Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress


• Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening


• Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to appropriate support

There is no formal assessment at the end of the course, although trainees must demonstrate their skills and knowledge learnt during the course.

For more information about the support you can expect to receive and what you’re committing to, please refer to the attached supporting guidance and commitments document by clicking on the "attached document" at the top of this page.

Once your place is confirmed you will receive a confirmation email which has details of the online registration you will need to make with Mental Health First Aid England.

This must be completed (including your home address) at least 14 days prior to the course start. This is to allow ample time for your registration and for course manuals and pre-reads to be sent to you. 

Course material will be posted to learners prior to the course starting and links to the online material and sessions will be emailed.