FAQs

What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.

MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but just like physical first aid, it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. Adult MHFA courses are for everyone aged 16 upwards. Every MHFA course is delivered by a quality assured instructor accredited by The Royal Society for Public Health, and is trained to keep people safe and supported while they learn.

How much does it cost to take a Mental Health First Aid training course?

Costs vary depending on the location and instructor, the recommended price per person as set out by MHFA England for the Adult MHFA Two day course is £300 per person.

If you are an organisation looking to book an in-house delivery, cost per person will reduce. If you have any questions about the cost of attending a course, please contact us directly on hello@be-empowered.co.uk to discuss prices.

Where do Be Empowered run courses?

Be Empowered train all over the UK.

We train in-house at your place of work.

Are the trainers qualified?

All our trainers are quality assured and accredited by the only licensed instructor provider MHFA England which is also accredited by The Royal Society for Public Health.

I have seen other Mental Health First Aid courses cheaper, why is this?

As the idea of Mental Health First Aid becomes more popular, some other training providers are starting to offer unlicensed ‘mental health first aid’ or ‘first aid for mental health’ instructor training.

We would advise caution when choosing a training provider.

Cheaper, unlicensed training is unlikely to have the evidence base or quality that is associated with an MHFA England trained instructor and therefore programme. The MHFA England trained instructors and courses are part of a global programme which have been running for over ten years in 25 countries.

Does Mental Health First Aid training work? What evidence is there?

We believe MHFA training works as one part of a joined up mental healthcare system. The courses are based on research and developed by mental health experts with input from people with lived experience of mental ill health.

Research and evaluation has repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of MHFA training in England and worldwide. To learn more visit MHFA Englands Research and evaluation page. You can also read about the impact of the training across a range of organisations in these case studies.

Do I have to attend both days on the 2-day Mental Health First Aid course?

If you’re on a Two Day course, you need to attend both days to become a Mental Health First Aider. All parts of the course are equally important to learn a safe grounding in MHFA skills.

You will not be qualified if you do not attend both days.

How many people can attend a Mental Health First Aid training course?

For the Mental Health First Aid 2 day and 1 day courses the minimum number is 8, and the maximum number is 16 per course.

For the Mental Health Aware half day course you can have up to 25 people.

Do Be Empowered run bespoke courses?

Yes. We can put together bespoke sessions and workshops based upon your specifications. We have qualified and accredited trainers who will create a unique programme of topics just for you.

Get in touch to find out more hello@be-empowered.co.uk

Do you have to be a physical first aider to become a mental health first aider?

No, but depending on your organisation it may be a good fit to have both qualifications.

Does the qualification belong to me or my place of work?

When you train to become a Mental Health First Aider, it is your qualification to take with you wherever you go.

How long does the qualification last?

Currently there is no time limit on the qualification. However, MHFA England (the governing body) are working on a refresher course that they recommend to have every three years, similar to a physical first aid qualification.

Now that I am qualified, can I train other people at my place of work?

No. You must be a qualified associate trainer to train others.

You will have gained knowledge to help and support others with their mental health but you will not have the correct training to train others.

Your manual is a reference tool for you as a qualified Mental Health First Aider but should not be given to others who have not had the training.