Mental Health First Aid accreditation

Full MHFA accreditation course

The full course (two days when face-to-face, or four sessions with the online version) is an in-depth course. It teaches techniques to provide help to someone experiencing a mental health problem, before professional help is obtained.

Delegates who complete the course will be become accredited MHFAiders. This means you will take on the responsibility of providing help and assistance, as well as promoting mental health and wellbeing in your local area. You will be added to your departmental list of MHFAiders. 

Half Day course

The half-day course is not an in-depth training course. Instead, it an introduction to mental health, and is particularly aimed at managers and those with supervisory responsibilities.

• Responding promptly to calls for assistance within your area
• Providing support within your competence
• Summoning further help, if necessary
• Registering details of conversations in line with confidentiality guidelines
• Maintaining MHFA competence as specified by MHFA England by refreshing your skills every three years
• Attending a minimum of one CPD session a year.

Please refer to the Being an MHFAider - Your guide to the role document to understand more about the expectations of the role.

You will also be asked to help promote health and wellbeing events around College.

Do I need prior knowledge of mental health to attend the two-day course?

No, prior knowledge is not required. An interest in mental health and wellbeing is strongly advisable.

When will I hear if my application has been successful?

Your place will be confirmed or you will be provided with feedback if you are unsuccessful within seven working days of receipt.

Why is College targeting certain staff to become MHFA qualified?

There is an uneven spread of MHFAers across College. In order to ensure a more even distrubtion of readily available MHFAiders, the College wishes to target staff across campuses, departments and job families. This is aimed to be similar to the setup and supply of Physical First Aiders.

I can do one day of the course, but not the other/I can make some of the sessions but not all, can I still attend?

No, you must attend both days (face-to-face)/all four sessions (online) for the entire duration of the course.

Can I do the first day of the course and then the second day another time? / Can I do one session of the course at a later date?

No, you must attend both days (face-to-face)/all four sessions (online) for the entire duration of the course.

I have to leave early on one of the days, can I still attend?

No, you must attend both days (face-to-face)/all four sessions (online) for the entire duration of the course.

I have an existing mental health condition, can I still attend?

You are welcome to apply, but please be mindful that the course can be emotionally demanding and can evoke a strong feeling, especially for delegates who are currently experiencing or supporting mental-ill health. It may be worth emailing the EDI Centre with your details so we can discuss what is the best option for you.

A number of my department colleagues want to apply for the same course, are we able to?

A maximum of 10 people from any given area in the College or department can attend a course. If you have more people interested, please email the EDI Centre to discuss your department's training needs.

Can my manager and I both attend the same course?

This is a decision that you and your manager must discuss together to ensure it is operationally feasible. You will also have to decide whether you will both be able to participate freely together on the course.

What if I know people on my course and don’t feel I can fully participate?

We will send a delegate list one week prior to the start date of the course. You will have an opportunity to see a list of names and decide if you would like to go ahead or be moved onto another course.

Do I have to supply my own materials?

You will need to bring a pen and a notepad. A course workbook and welcome refreshments (if face-to-face) are provided. Lunch is not provided.

Once enrolled, you must attend the full duration of the course. This means all four half-days for the online version, and both full days for the face-to-face version.

If you cancel your place on the course less than ten working days before the first session, we will charge a £150 cancellation fee.

If you attend only part of the course (for example three out of four online sessions, or one of the face-to-face days), you will have to pay the full cancellation fee and re-enrol for the entire course. Re-enrolment for just one part of a future course is not possible.

If you miss more than 15 minutes of any session, unless there are extenuating circumstances, we reserve the right to remove you from the course while charging the full cancellation fee. If you wish to qualify as a MHFAider, you will have to re-enrol onto another course and attend it in full.

When will I receive my certificate?

You will receive your certificate digitally from MHFA England once you complete the feedback form that they send you.

How will people know I am an MHFAider? 

You will be added to your departmental list of MHFAiders.

We encourage you to also wear your green MHFA lanyard when on campus, and you may want to add your MHFAider status to your email signature or personal web page.

What happens if no-one contacts me in my role as an MHFAider?

You are still an MHFAider and your skills are still essential. You do not know when you may be called upon personally or professionally.

What should I do if I am unable to be an MHFAider for personal or professional reasons? Can I step down?

This is not ideal, however, we do appreciate life and work commitments mean that you are not able to do this. If you need to step down, please inform your local First Aid Coordinator.

How is my interaction as an MHFAider recorded?

An online form is available on the MHFAiders Teams site to capture interactions.