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Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training is designed to help individuals recognise and respond to mental health challenges in others. The Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) course, developed by Public Health Scotland, has specific learning objectives that focus on awareness, intervention and support
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Course information

  • TARGET AUDIENCE
    Everyone
  • LOCATION
    In Person
  • COST
    TBC

about the course

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a nationally recognised course designed to give participants the knowledge, skills and confidence to support someone experiencing a mental health challenge. Grounded in Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid framework, the course takes a practical, stigma-reducing approach that empowers individuals to recognise early signs of distress, respond appropriately and signpost to the right support.

Throughout this training, participants will explore a range of mental health conditions and how they can affect thinking, feeling and behaviour. You’ll learn how to open sensitive conversations, listen without judgement and offer initial reassurance while maintaining your own boundaries.

The session also explores the responsibilities and limits of the Mental Health First Aider role, helping you stay grounded and effective without overstepping.

By using realistic examples, accessible language and up-to-date insights into Scotland’s mental health services, this course prepares individuals to act with calmness, compassion and confidence when it matters most. Whether you’re supporting a colleague, friend or member of the public, MHFA equips you with the tools to make a meaningful difference.

 

mental health first aid
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organisational benefits

Early identification and support

Staff are better equipped to spot early warning signs of mental distress, enabling timely and informal interventions that prevent issues from escalating.

Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism

With increased awareness and support, employees are more likely to seek help early, reducing long-term absence and working while unwell.

Improved workplace culture

A visible commitment to mental health support fosters openness, trust and reduced stigma across the organisation.

Clearer boundaries and role clarity

Trained staff understand the scope and limits of their role, promoting a healthy balance between support and professional responsibilities.

Better use of internal and external resources

Participants gain confidence in signposting to appropriate services, reducing reliance on managers or HR as the first line of response.

by the end of this session

Particicipants will:
  • Apply Mental Health First Aid: Use the five-step approach to provide initial support to someone experiencing mental distress or a mental health crisis.
  • Recognise signs of mental health problems: Identify common symptoms and understand how factors like alcohol, drugs and stigma can influence mental wellbeing.
  • Respond to risk of suicide: Offer appropriate support to individuals who may be at risk of suicide or self-harm, using calm, non-judgemental communication.
  • Offer reassurance within role boundaries: Provide practical help and emotional support while understanding and maintaining the limits of the Mental Health First Aider role.
  • Signpost to further support: Direct individuals to appropriate professional or community-based services to ensure continued care and recovery.

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Testimonials

Debbie
Thank you for creating and facilitating this hope-filled and stigma-free course. I appreciated the space created to discuss challenging stigma and discrimination. I live with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, a diagnosis which still carries stigma even among health professionals and felt that the topic was handled kindly and tactfully. I loved the group discussion around challenging stigma as other participants had lots of practical ideas. It was also useful to consider the negative impact of self-stigma and how we can internalise shame and other negative attitudes.
Anne
I work with people in family-caring roles and have already used the stress bucket analogy to help people consider their current stress levels, and the positive and negative coping strategies they use. We also talked about it at our Carer Support Group and had a few mindful moments of box breathing as a way to increase our wellbeing there and then.