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Course Description
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 such as anxiety and depression. 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 found that a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers. The HSE guidance 'First aid needs assessment’ 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.
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Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for managers or anyone who wants to take a leading role in promoting mental health in the workplace.
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Minimum Age
The qualification is available to learners who are aged 16 and over. ​
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Course Validity
The qualification is valid for 3 years from date of issue. It is strongly recommended that the learner attends annual refresher training.
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Course learner ratio
Maximum number of students per course - 12
Course Delivery
Currently we offer this as a 1 day classroom course only. We are working towards splitting this into e-learning and then a practical element at our HQ.
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Please keep your eyes peeled for our email when we get this up and running.
Course Content
1. **Know what mental health is, why people develop mental health conditions and the role of a first aider for mental health:**
- Define mental health
- Indicate understanding of the stigma surrounding mental health
- Identify factors that can affect a person’s mental health
- Understand the role of a first aider for mental health
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2. **Know how to provide advice and practical support for a person presenting a suspected mental health condition:**
- Outline the advice that should be provided to a person suffering from a suspected mental health condition
- Know when to contact the emergency services in respect of first aid for mental health
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3. **Know how to recognise and manage stress:**
- Identify signs of stress
- State how stress can be managed
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4. **Understand the impact of substance abuse on mental health:**
- State potential effects of alcohol and drug abuse on a person’s mental health
- Outline potential negative consequences of substance abuse on a person’s employment and lifestyle
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5. **Understand the first aid action plan for mental health and be able to put it in place:**
- Demonstrate the application of the first aid action plan for mental health
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6. **Know how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace:**
- State key factors in providing a positive mental health culture in the workplace
- Know how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace
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7. **Understand a range of mental health disorders and the support/therapy provided by professional healthcare providers:**
- Describe the characteristics, including signs and/or symptoms, of each of the following mental health conditions:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Self-harm
• Suicide
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Bipolar
• Psychosis
​• Schizophrenia
- Describe the support & therapy provided by professional healthcare providers for the following mental health conditions:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Self-harm
• Suicide
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Bipolar
• Psychosis
​• Schizophrenia
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Criteria
Completion of 2 written assessments and a practical demonstration of a First Aid action plan for Mental Health.
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Assessment Grading
Grading is either Pass or Referred.
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