Supporting Mental Health First Aiders

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Supporting Mental Health First Aiders

Not what you’re looking for? Try something else in Management, Mental Health

A practical course for managers who oversee mental health first aiders. Learn what good support looks like, what responsibilities sit with managers, and how to build a sustainable mental health first aid approach at work.

Who This Course is For

This course is perfect if you work in any of these sectors: Care, Charity, Construction, Education, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Trades.

Our Supporting Mental Health First Aiders training uses real-life scenarios tailored to the specific challenges of each sector, ensuring participants gain practical, hands-on experience they can confidently apply in their workplace.

What Does Supporting Mental Health First Aiders Training Cover?

The manager’s role in supporting mental health first aiders
Boundaries and expectations of the MHFA role
Psychological load and compassion fatigue
Supporting MHFAers through supervision and check ins
Confidentiality, escalation and duty of care
Risk management and protecting MHFAers
Post incident support for mental health first aiders
Building a sustainable mental health first aid framework
Scenario practice and action planning
Course closure

Mental health first aiders are often the first point of contact when someone is struggling at work. They listen, support, and guide people towards help, often alongside their own role and responsibilities. In many organisations, they are a key part of supporting mental health day to day.

Without the right management support in place, this can quietly become a risk.

When mental health first aiders are unsupported, unclear on boundaries, or carrying too much emotional load, the impact can be serious. Burnout, compassion fatigue, blurred responsibility, and inconsistent responses can affect not only the individual MHFA, but also the people they are trying to support and the wider organisation.

Managers play a critical role in preventing this.

This course exists to help organisations move beyond “having” mental health first aiders, to supporting them properly. It ensures managers understand their responsibilities, the limits of the MHFA role, and what must be in place to keep mental health support safe, consistent, and sustainable when supporting mental health at work.

Without this understanding, organisations risk:

Mental health first aiders becoming overwhelmed or disengaged
Inconsistent handling of sensitive situations
Increased absence, stress, or turnover among trained MHFAers
Reputational damage if mental health support fails when it’s most needed
Legal and duty of care risks through unclear escalation and accountability

Supporting mental health at work isn’t just about training individuals. It’s about leadership, structure, and follow through.

By investing in this course, Mental Health First Aid for Managers, organisations demonstrate that mental health first aiders are not expected to carry responsibility alone, and that employee wellbeing is taken seriously at every level.

What Past Learners Say About This Course

Excellent and a highly valuable experience. On of the best courses I have attended in many years. Thank you

This session opened my eyes to many aspects relating to the mind previously unknown to me and will assist in my approaches and engagements with colleagues and apprentices about mental health issues.

If you are looking for a training company that can look after the safety of your staff and pupils, then Skills Shop will be the right health and safety training provider for you.

Why Choose Skills Shop?

At Skills Shop, we believe training should be practical, clear, and easy to understand.
We keep things simple so people feel confident, not overwhelmed.

Our courses are built around real workplaces, real situations, and real people.
That means less box ticking and more skills your team can actually use when it matters.

You’ll be supported by an experienced trainer who explains things in plain English, encourages questions, and makes sure everyone leaves knowing what to do and why it matters.

That’s why organisations choose Skills Shop.
Supportive. Honest. Open. Professional.

FAQs about our Supporting Mental Health First Aiders

Where will my training take place

Training can take place on-site or at a venue close by to you in Near You offering several benefits for individuals and organisations.

One of the main advantages of on-site training is that it allows participants to receive training in a familiar environment. This can help them feel more comfortable and confident during the training process.

It also eliminates the need for individuals to travel to a training venue. This saves time for those attending and helps your company reduce operating costs.

On-site training can also be tailored to the specific needs your company, making it a more effective and efficient way to deliver training.

Additionally, training on-site can help build a sense of community among participants. Your team are able to learn and practice together in a shared environment.

Similarly, training at a venue close by can offer many of the same benefits.

In addition a change of scenery and a break from the usual routine can aid productivity.

Overall, doing training on-site or at a nearby venue can be a convenient, effective, and cost-efficient way to develop new skills and knowledge. We deliver Supporting Mental Health First Aiders throughout the UK including: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Southampton.

What's the difference between in person and blended training?

Face-to-face training and blended training are two distinct approaches to delivering training.

Face-to-face training involves participants physically attending training sessions in person.

This type of training provides direct interaction with the trainer and other participants, allowing for immediate feedback and the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification in real-time.

On the other hand, blended training combines face-to-face training with online learning components, such as webinars, videos, and e-learning modules.

This approach allows participants to complete some aspects of the training remotely, typically on their own time and at their own pace.

The face-to-face component of blended training is typically shorter than traditional face-to-face training and usually focuses on practical application, skill-building, and group collaboration.

Overall, the choice between face-to-face training and blended training will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific learning goals, the needs of the participants, and the available resources.

How long does the Supporting Mental Health First Aiders certificate last?

Once you obtain this certification, it is valid for a period of three years.

This means that you can use your certification to demonstrate your skills and expertise for a full three years before needing to renew it.

However, it is important to note that you can renew your certificate up to 90 days before the expiry date.

This ensures that you maintain your certification and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices.

Renewing your certification is an easy process that typically involves attending a refresher course to refresh your skills and knowledge.

By keeping your certification current, you can continue to provide high-quality care and support to those in need.

What's an annual refresher?

Attending an annual refresher for is essential for ensuring that individuals remain competent and confident in dealing with a situation.

Individuals can refresh their knowledge and skills, learn about any updates or changes to best practices, and gain valuable practice in simulated emergency scenarios.

This can enhance an individual’s professional development and career opportunities, while also contributing to a safer and healthier workplace for all.

Are your courses accredited?

While many providers offer accredited courses that tend to follow a one-size-fits-all approach, we pride ourselves on delivering training that goes beyond the conventional. At Skills Shop, we believe that exceptional training should not be confined to the parameters of standard accreditation.

Instead, we focus on crafting bespoke, tailored training experiences that truly empower, educate, and engage every participant. Our courses are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals and organisations, ensuring practical, impactful learning outcomes.

Our courses however do follow a similar approach to accreditation following carefully designed session plans. You can view our Tutor Packs here >

Curious to learn how our personalised approach can benefit you or your business? Click here to discover more >