Mental Health First Aid

We all have mental health and, like our physical health, it needs to be looked after. In any given year one in four people will experience a mental health issue.

Training is the foundation to a healthy workplace. Educating people about mental health helps to open up conversations, breaks down stigma and encourages mental health resilience. It can also ensure people are aware of how to access help, allowing for quicker recoveries and more positive outcomes.

In the same way as we learn physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to recognise crucial warning signs of mental ill health.

ITS can provide you with the training you want, whether you’re looking for a qualification, a refresher or an awareness course, including a specialised one for the investigation sector.  From time to time we run open courses, which are shown below.

Online Mental Health First Aid – four online sessions plus individual self-learning over two weeks. (accredited by MHFA England)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.  MHFA will not teach someone to be a therapist, and is not therapy, but it will teach them to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.

Learners will learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe. Learners will also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms.

In addition, learners will gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around them.

Click here to download the course information sheet (opens in new window)

Mental Health First Aid Refresher – half day online (accredited by MHFA England)

In the same way that there are refresher courses for physical first aiders, Mental Health First Aid training should be kept up to date.

The four hour MHFA Refresher course will:

• Keep your awareness of mental health supports current
• Update your knowledge of mental health and what influences it
• Practice applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan

Please note that the MHFA Refresher is only for people who have completed an Adult MHFA Two Day or One Day, or Armed Forces MHFA Two Day course.

Click here to download the course information sheet (opens in new window)

Mental Health Awareness – half day online (accredited by MHFA England)

This course raises awareness of mental health. It covers:

• What mental health is and how to challenge stigma
• A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues
• An introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing
• Confidence to support someone in distress or who may be experiencing a mental health issue

Everyone who completes the course gets:

• A certificate of attendance to say you are Mental Health Aware
• A manual to refer to whenever you need it
• A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support your own mental health

Click here to download the course information sheet (opens in new window)

Mental Health Awareness for Investigators

This course is aimed specifically at those carrying out investigations and raises awareness of mental health both generally and in the contect of investigations. It covers :

• What mental health is and how to challenge stigma
• A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues
• Explain the particular risks to look out for in the mental health of other investigators

• Describe the pressures on, and signs to be aware of, in connection with the mental health of suspects
• Describe the particular concerns, and signs to be aware of, in connection with the mental health of victims and witnesses

Everyone who completes the course gets:

• A certificate of attendance to say you are Mental Health Aware
• A manual to refer to whenever you need it
• A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support your own mental health

Click here to download the course information sheet (opens in new window)