Course Overview

Supervising/Leading First Aid for Mental Health

TWO DAY | SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (SMHFA) COURSE

Each year approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health condition and at least 1 in 6 employees experience common mental health problems in the workplace.

Research has shown that work is the biggest cause of stress which can stop people performing at their best. Mental health conditions are often hidden due to stigma and fear of discrimination and research has shown that a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers.

The HSE guidance ‘First aid needs assessment’ also refers to mental health in the workplace. This qualification provides learners with the knowledge to recognise a wide range of mental health conditions and learn about the support/therapy provided by professional healthcare providers. They will know how to start a supportive conversation and when and how to signpost a person to seek appropriate professional help.

Learners will recognise and manage stress and understand the impact of substance abuse.Learners will learn about the first aid action plan for mental health, be able to put it in place and understand how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace.

Learners will not diagnose or treat mental health conditions as this can only be carried out by healthcare professionals but will gain the knowledge to identify when a person may have a condition and know where they can go to get help.

This course goes into detail on a wide range of mental health conditions and the support and help provided by healthcare professionals.

It is aimed at those within a supervisor / manager level within the workplace, as the designated First Aider for Mental Health.

Module 1 – Introduction

Module 2 – What is first aid for mental health?

Module 3 – Identifying mental health conditions

Module 4 – Providing advice and starting a conversation

Module 5 – Stress

Module 6 – Drugs and alcohol

Module 7 – First aid action plan for mental health – including practical assessment

Module 8 – Mental health in the workplace

Module 9 – Depression

Module 10 – Anxiety

Module 11 – Written assessment – paper 1

The qualification is valid for three years from the date of achievement.

It is strongly recommended that the learner attends annual refresher training.

The learner will need to complete the full course again to requalify for a further three years.

The qualification is available to learners aged 16 or over.

It is recommended that learners should hold a minimum of Level 1 in literacy or equivalent to undertake this qualification.

It may be possible to allocate a reasonable adjustment to a learner who has a disability, medical condition or learning need; learners should contact their training provider to discuss.

Any reasonable adjustments granted must be in line with the FAA Reasonable Adjustments Policy.

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