Mental Health First Aid Training Courses

The last few years have been hard on everyone. The need to support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing is greater than ever.

We provide a range of Mental Health first aid courses to cover both statutory workplace requirements and organisations that want to provide training for their staff. A number of our courses are also suitable for those with a general interest in Mental Health.

Our portfolio of Mental Health First Aid training includes:

Acorn Health and Safety mental health first aid training

Why do our customers choose us?

Mental ill health costs UK employers £34.9 billion each year.

Whether you choose a single place on our open course or training for an entire staff team, our choice of courses provide delegates with essential managing mental health knowledge.

Our courses are delivered by knowledgeable and enthusiastic trainers all of whom hold adult teaching qualifications supported by professional qualifications.

They have gained their hands-on first aid experience from a variety of different backgrounds over many years including nursing, armed forces, emergency services, hospitality, Voluntary Aid Societies, as well as other industry sectors before becoming qualified instructors.

The more we know and understand, the more we are able to prevent, manage and treat ill health.

Teaching 18,000 delegates a year Acorn Health & Safety offer training to individuals, groups and entire staff teams we are committed to providing excellent training delivered in a relaxed, yet informative style.

How do we approach mental health first aid training?

There are three levels of intervention where organisations could support the health and well-being of their employees – by preventing, managing and treating issues. The first step towards overcoming obstacles is to increase our knowledge, awareness and self-awareness. The more we know, the more we understand, and the more we understand the easier it becomes to do something about challenges that come our way.

We cannot ignore mental health when we consider Health and Safety strategies in the workplace.

Mental health is an integral element of our overall health and it should be accepted and acknowledged so that we can learn how to prevent, manage and treat it pretty much in the same way we do with physical health.

Evidence suggests a healthy workforce is good for business. Benefits that organisations can expect to see will include:-

  • Reduced sickness absence from work
  • Reduced accidents at work
  • Improved employee retention
  • Higher employee engagement and commitment
  • Higher work productivity
  • Enhanced employer brand
  • Greater employee resilience

The programme provides the skills, knowledge and understanding of first aid for mental health and how to effectively support those experiencing distress.  We will employ a variety of teaching techniques to meet the needs of individual delegates.

PLEASE NOTE: These courses focus on employees in the workplace and covers subjects that some people may find distressing, including suicide and self-harm. The delegate can leave the course at any time if they feel overwhelmed

What should you expect from Acorn Health & Safety?

The courses enable mental health first aid. Delegates will get a deep understanding of what mental health is and what factors can affect general wellbeing. The course’s teach practical skills to spot the signs of mental illness and gives the delegate the confidence to step in and support a person who may need assistance.

We’ll provide delegates with a variety of printed course materials including workbooks and handouts.  On successful completion of the face to face courses, delegates will receive a printed course certificate of attendance from MHFA England, the only provider of licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in England. With E-learning courses, they receive an E-certificate on successful completion.

Our ‘mental health first aid’ course is just one of over 60 courses we offer.  Acorn Health & Safety provides training and consultancy in first aid, fire safety, food safety, manual handling, healthcare training and health and safety.

Acorn Health and Safety logo

Post course our team of consultants and trainers are available to answer any questions you might have.  You’ll also receive an automatic reminder prior to course expiry.

Our ‘in-house’ course programmes are the most cost effective option if you’ve a number of staff requiring training, and in many cases can be adapted to include reference to local policy, practice and documentation.  These courses can be delivered either at any suitable venue or you can hire our purpose-built training centre located in Warmley, Bristol, whichever is best suited to your needs.

We also run a rolling programme of ‘open courses’ which are particularly suited for individuals or organisations that only have a few delegates or those looking to release small groups of staff at a time.

Other courses that we specialise and provide consultancy in which could be of interest to you are:

Please contact us to discuss all of your training needs so we can advise the most suitable and cost effective solution.

Not every course can be ‘off the shelf’.

Our tailored health and safety training is aimed at meeting the needs of customers who have specific subjects to be covered within their health and safety staff training.

Find out more

Call our team on 0117 958 2070 or if it’s out of hours or you prefer e-mail – [email protected]

Open Course Diary

Aimed at businesses and individuals requiring specific training or those with only a few members of staff to train our open courses run regularly throughout the year and cover a variety of different subjects.

Book your next course now

First Aid FAQ’s


Do I need to do a full First Aid course again once my certificate expires?
When the Emergency First Aid at work certificate runs out, renewing it would mean completing the same 1 day course. However, when the 3 day First Aid at work certificate runs out, a delegate can complete the 2 day First Aid at work requalification, providing that they complete this course no longer than 28 days after their certificate has expired. 

Do I have to provide First Aid assistance out of work?
No, there is no legal obligation.

What kind of First Aid training do I need?
We would recommend your training is based on the number of staff in your company, the nature of your business and your own company policy. 

 
Does my company need only one First Aider?
It is best practice to ensure you have sufficient trainers to cover your business in case the usual First Aider is sick, on a different shift pattern or on holiday.Our consultancy team can carry out a First Aid needs assessment for you. 

Who needs First Aid training?
Everybody. Accidents and emergencies happen everywhere and at any time and First Aid knowledge is a good life skill. 

I'm afraid of applying the wrong treatment!?
Our training is designed to give some simple, straightforward skills to be a primary contact in an emergency situation. 

Does a First Aid course qualify me to give out medicine?
No, the courses reference asthma, anaphylaxis and diabetes but will not give you a qualification in administering medicines. We offer a seperate Administering Medication course.

What is the age range for Paediatric First Aid training?
  The Paediatric First Aid course covers training on infants (up to 1 year old) and children up to puberty.

What is the minimum age to learn First Aid?
While some skills require a certain level of physical ability and maturity, the general life skills and practice can be adopted to most age groups. However, Qualsafe accredited courses minimum age is 16.

What do I need first aid wise for schools?
  1. For nursery or pre-schools, you will need to have at least one person on the premises with a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification and may also need a First Aid at Work qualification if there are more than 25 staff.
  2. For Primary schools, you will need a qualified first aider who holds a Paediatric First Aid qualification and may also need a First Aid at Work qualification if there are more than 25 staff.
  3. For Secondary Schools, depending on staff numbers (between 25 and 50), you may need a qualified first aider who holds an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.

It is important to remember to have a back-up first aider in case of sickness or holidays, as well as someone who is able to administer medicines, or have specific training as needed (ie in Epilepsy or Manual Handling). 

Trusted by organisations across the South West

“The Asbestos Awareness course I found really interesting/fascinating and worrying. I found the Statistics re: Asbestosis, really highlighted the problem & identification of materials containing asbestos was useful for my working environment.”

SN
Avon Archaeology Ltd

“The delivery of the IOSH Managing Safely course was perfectly blended between reading and discussion/participation.”

DC
Rolland DG UK Ltd

“Attended the Level 3 Paediatric First Aid training: Big thank you to the Acorn trainer, fantastic trainer, passionate, caring & brought the training to life with his experience and personality.”

R
Survive

Client Manual Handling: “Very helpful, knowledgeable trainer who contextualised and adapted training very well when thinking about the needs of our learners. 10/10”

R
Weston College

Foundation Level Manual Handling and First Aid at Work:

“We received the above training over two weeks which was much appreciated. Although we have filled in individual feedback forms on the day, I thought I would give some positive feedback with regards to the course itself and both Acorn trainers.
The first aid course was extremely enjoyable. Whilst going through the mandatory information for the course, the Acorn trainer was able to adapt some areas of the course to suit our service needs which was great.
His delivery was excellent and we were laughing whilst learning.
The Manual Handling course was informative, hands-on and very thorough.
The Acorn trainer came across very knowledgeable & confident about this area and delivered the course at exactly the right pace.
Overall feedback from all that attended was positive.
I have recommended Acorn to our Training Manager for further courses throughout GCH”

L
Gloucester City Homes

“The trainer kept my interest all day. I learnt so much more because it was interesting”

SH
South Gloucestershire Council

“We are very happy with the service that Acorn provide. They are knowledgeable and very helpful especially when it comes to writing new policies or assisting in queries.”

T
Nash Partnership

“The part I found most helpful was learning about the different types of epilepsy and the way to administer the medication.  I feel confident I will know what to look out for now.”

BD
Aspirations

“The most effective manual handling training session I have undertaken.”

DJ
Carmarthen Dialysis Unit

“I found all of the 12 hour Paediatric First Aid course helpful! It was good to hear all the information and it made me feel more confident. I found Linda extremely clear in her explanations and teachings. The facilities were good and it was organised very well.”

CE
Hambrook Primary School

“Happy with the advice and support received. Roger is great at what he does and offers very practical advice.”

 

DC
Roland DG UK Ltd

“I found the Train the Trainer update training excellent and very informative and I found Sarah an excellent trainer”

S
South Gloucestershire Council

Fire Marshal with Live Fire: “Very good. More interesting than previous training I have done”

M
Fidelius

Fire Marshal with Live Fire: “Trainer was great, really knowledgeable, and the practical exercise was really helpful. 10/10”

K
Arcadia

“I just wanted to thank you for arranging the Administration of Medicines to Adults in Care training for us: it was excellent quality and the trainer, Sarah, engaged all team members really well. The staff were actively participating and all seemed to really benefit from the day.”

L
Bright Green Light

“The First Aid at Work Re-qualification course was helpful in reviewing changes in practice over the last 3 years. The defibrillator training will potentially help more people sooner. The Acorn trainer made everyone feel at ease & the group integrated and engaged quickly”

RE
The Limes Children's Centre

“The Administering Medication training was helpful in understanding about EpiPens and how to administer eye drops.”

PB
Appleford School

“Health & Safety at our premises has improved considerably over the past 12-18 months with help and support of Roger and Team at Acorn Safety. Roger has given me the confidence o improve many areas of H&S where we needed procedures etc. I would recommend Acorn. 10/10”

MB
Polar Bear Windows

Administration of Medicines to Children in Schools: “Great – informative and professionally run course. 10/10. Thank you!”

M
Clevedon School

Train the Trainer annual update course: “It was amazing!!! The training room and the trainer were great. It was lots of other professionals on the training (including an OT from South Glos) and it just felt really good! It also helped that they provided a yummy lunch”

R
United Response

“Excellent anecdotes, course was entertaining and the trainer had great knowledge”

SBK
Bristol University

“I just wanted to let you know that 10 of our volunteers attended first aid training on Friday 19th May 2017 and we really enjoyed it! The Acorn trainer was a very entertaining trainer who has the ability to make it fun yet still deliver the important content! We all came away feeling confident with our new skills! A huge thank you for accommodating our needs as an organisation, we really appreciate it, and will  definitely be looking into other courses. Acorn deliver.”

LP
South Gloucester Parents & Carers

Foundation Level Manual Handling: “Thank you. A really great day. Very enjoyable and informative. 10/10”

K
Gloucester City Homes

Asbestos Awareness: “Course contents and delivery was excellent. 10/10”

M
Wellsway School

“Very competent service helping us see through some red tape, to ensure we understand what it is we must and should do and what other aspects would be good practice”

Hassle Free
Haven Day Centre

“Each and every part of the Asbestos Awareness course showed how ignorant I was concerning asbestos. I will ensure that work done in our premises will be done and recorded properly.”

JT
St Ursula's Academy

“I have had first aid training and now the IOSH course through Acorn. both courses were great very professional with both trainers being excellent getting the point across in a very relaxed way. Thanks Roger for an enjoyable course. I thought the pace, content and the way in which it was presented was first class. As an added bonus I thought lunch was great”

RW
HH Willis Physics Lab

“The Emergency First Aid course was helpful specifically using the defibrillator. I found the course good fun.”

F
Celador Radio Ashton

“Best manual handling I’ve been on so far. Plenty of practice with different equipment and scenarios. 10/10”

LH
Bristol Community Health

“The part of the Level 3 Paediatric Fist Aid training I found most helpful was the CPR section and, understanding it in more depth, it’s really clicked this time! It’s given me confidence and solidified my previous knowledge. I love the focus on simplicity, a great presentation in language I understand.”

H
KIDS

Next Steps

Prefer to talk about your training and consultancy needs?

Ready to book, or not sure which course you need? You can book online and see the next available dates here. Alternatively, call our friendly team on 0117 958 2070 or email [email protected], and we’ll help you choose the right course and decide between an open course in Bristol or in-house training at your premises.

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