QA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) [Online]

What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?

Mental health first aid is simply the mental health equivalent to physical health first aid. Just like physical first aid, mental health first aid courses don’t teach to diagnose or treat. Instead, they teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of someone potentially suffering from mental health. They’re also taught how to offer initial support until appropriate and professional help is received.

What is Mental Health?

The World Health Organisation defines good mental health as: “A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

The term “mental ill health” covers a range of conditions ranging from mild ones, for example mild depression and anxiety, to more serious and enduring conditions such as bi-polar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia.

Did you know 1 in 4 people in the UK are likely to experience mental health problems each year?

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet whilst we know how to take care of our own physical health, many people do not know how to support relatives, friends and even colleagues who are experiencing poor mental health. By developing a greater understanding of common mental health issues, as well as how best to support and guide someone to professional help, you can help further reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the UK.

The QA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification that has been specifically designed for those who would like to raise their awareness of mental health, develop an understanding on how best to support, reassure and signpost colleagues to professional support. What’s more, candidates will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to actively promote positive mental health within their workplace, making it an ideal qualification for mental health champions/first aiders, human resources, managers, supervisors and team leaders.