This two day course (8 & 15 March) provides the tools needed to advise or help someone experiencing mental health issues.

 We include subjects such as:

• guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider
• attitudes to mental health issues and stigma
• equalities
• the recovery message
• the impact of alcohol and drugs on mental health
• introduction to suicide intervention
• introduction to self-harm
• listening skills
• understanding depression
• how to offer first aid to someone experiencing depression
• understanding anxiety
• how to offer first aid to someone experiencing anxiety
• understanding psychosis
• how to offer first aid to someone experiencing a psychotic episode.

The course does not train people to be mental health workers. It offers basic general information about mental health problems. The knowledge presented and understanding developed in the course helps to remove stigma and fear and to give confidence in approaching a person in distress.

Mental Health First Aid is an initial response to distress and all participants on the course understand that this help is given only until other suitable or professional help can be found.