First Aid for Mental Health Training

The Level 1 Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health course provides a practical introduction to recognising and responding to common mental health conditions. It is suitable for education settings, workplaces and the wider public, and is designed for anyone who wants to improve their understanding of mental health and feel more confident starting supportive conversations.

This course equips learners with the knowledge to identify early signs of mental ill‑health, offer initial reassurance, and signpost individuals to appropriate professional support. It plays an important role in reducing stigma and supporting positive wellbeing cultures across schools, organisations and communities. The course also provides a clear stepping stone into more advanced First Aid for Mental Health qualifications.

Course content includes:

• What is First Aid for Mental Health
• Recognising common mental health conditions
• Starting a supportive conversation
• Understanding the importance of signposting to professional help

The course is typically delivered over half a day (approximately four hours) and is Ofqual regulated, leading to a Level 1 Award in Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health, valid for three years. Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain confidence and awareness.

Training is available through open courses with published dates or as bespoke, in‑house delivery, making it ideal for schools, trusts, businesses and community groups seeking to embed mental health awareness at all levels.

The Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health course builds on awareness‑level training and equips learners with the skills and confidence to act as a First Aider for Mental Health. It is suitable for education settings, workplaces and the wider public, and is particularly valuable for staff who have a pastoral, supervisory or wellbeing role.

This one‑day course provides a deeper understanding of common mental health conditions, enabling learners to recognise signs of mental ill‑health, start supportive conversations, and offer initial guidance using a structured approach. A key feature of the course is the First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan, which supports learners to provide practical help and appropriate signposting while professional support is accessed. The course also explores the impact of stress, drugs and alcohol, and the role organisations can play in promoting a positive mental health culture.

Course content includes:

• What is First Aid for Mental Health
• Identifying a range of mental health conditions
• Providing advice and starting supportive conversations
• Stress and its impact on mental wellbeing
• The effects of drugs and alcohol
• The First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan
• Supporting mental health in the workplace or educational setting

The course is Ofqual regulated and leads to a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health, valid for three years. Successful learners are recognised as First Aiders for Mental Health within their organisation, with annual refresher training recommended to maintain confidence and competence.

Training is available through open courses with published dates or as bespoke, in‑house delivery, making it ideal for schools, trusts, businesses and community organisations seeking to strengthen mental health support and wellbeing.

The Level 3 Supervising First Aid for Mental Health course is an advanced qualification designed for those with leadership, supervisory or wellbeing responsibilities who are responsible for embedding and overseeing mental health support within an organisation. It is suitable for education settings, businesses and the wider public, and is particularly relevant for managers, senior staff, wellbeing leads and those with pastoral or people‑management roles.

This two‑day course builds on the knowledge gained at Level 2 and provides a more detailed and strategic understanding of mental health, including a wider range of mental health conditions and the types of professional support and treatment that individuals may receive. Learners develop the confidence to lead supportive conversations, respond appropriately to more complex situations, and support the implementation of a positive mental health culture across teams and organisations.

Course content includes:

• The role and responsibilities of a Supervising First Aider for Mental Health
• Identifying and understanding a wide range of mental health conditions
• Providing advice and starting supportive conversations
• Stress, drugs and alcohol and their impact on mental wellbeing
• The First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan
• Supporting mental health in the workplace or educational environment
• Understanding professional support pathways and therapeutic interventions

The course is Ofqual regulated and leads to a Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health, valid for three years. Annual refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain confidence, competence and up‑to‑date understanding.

Training is available through open courses with published dates or as bespoke, in‑house delivery, making it ideal for schools, trusts, businesses and organisations seeking to strengthen leadership‑level mental health provision.

The First Aid for Youth Mental Health course is designed to support those who work with, care for or regularly interact with children and young people. It is particularly suited to education settings, including schools and colleges, as well as parents, carers, youth workers, coaches and volunteers.

This one‑day course focuses on the specific mental health challenges faced by children and young people, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to recognise early signs of mental ill‑health, start appropriate and supportive conversations, and provide guidance towards professional help. The course addresses common issues affecting young people, including depression, self‑harm, eating disorders, bullying and stress, helping learners respond confidently and appropriately while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

Learners are not trained to diagnose or treat mental health conditions, but instead to act as a first point of support, offering reassurance, practical guidance and effective signposting using a structured approach.

Course content includes:

• Understanding First Aid for Youth Mental Health
• Identifying mental health conditions in children and young people
• Stress and mental health challenges specific to youth
• The impact of drugs and alcohol
• The First Aid Action Plan for Mental Health
• Supporting young people while professional help is accessed

The course is Ofqual regulated and leads to a Level 2 Award in First Aid for Youth Mental Health, valid for three years. Successful completion requires both a written assessment and practical demonstration of the mental health action plan. Annual refresher training is recommended to maintain confidence and awareness.

Training is available through open courses with published dates or as bespoke, in‑house delivery, making it ideal for schools, trusts and organisations seeking to strengthen mental health support for children and young people.