Free mental health training programme for local residents
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has launched free mental health training slots for local residents. Funded by NHS Charities Together in partnership with Mental Health First Aid England, the latest dates build on the successful initial launch in which 61 residents were trained.
Designed to break mental health stigma, raise mental health awareness and improve mental health literacy, the overall programme will provide over 400 places across around 20 mental health first aid courses.
The initiative follows the development of Springfield Hospital’s two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities, which now sit prominently at the centre of a growing new community called Springfield Village. The village is made up of over 800 new homes, a public square, retail outlets and a 32-acre park.
The courses will take place both online and at Springfield Hospital and will provide an understanding of common mental health issues, skills and information to support positive wellbeing, and knowledge and confidence to spot signs and symptoms and of mental ill health on a first-aid basis.
The next day courses will take place at Springfield University Hospital on 14 May and 17 June and they qualify delegates as Mental Health First Aid Champions. The course provides attendees with an understanding of common mental health issues, skills and information to support positive wellbeing, and knowledge and confidence to spot signs and symptoms and of mental ill health on a first-aid basis.
Follow the link to register your interest today and to be added to our database to be alerted to future training dates.
What is MHFA Champions course involve?
The course won’t teach you to become a therapist but just like physical first aid, it will teach you the skills to listen, reassure and respond, even in times of crisis.
Learning can take place via an online platform or face to face in a training environement with a variety of group activities presentations and discussions.
Learn about MHFA England’s® vision and mission by watching the You Tube clip
This one day course trains you as an MHFA Champion, giving you:
- An understanding of common mental health issues
- Knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness
- Ability to spot signs of mental ill health
- Skills to support positive wellbeing
Book a course
Click here to register your interest to book a course.
Testimonials
Having just moved to the area, I am aware that I am likely to encounter vulnerable people and feel it’s important to learn more about mental health and ways to get support. This course has taught me to recognise mental ill health and help people find the support they need.
Having just moved to the area, I am aware that I am likely to encounter vulnerable people and feel it’s important to learn more about mental health and ways to get support. This course has taught me to recognise mental ill health and help people find the support they need.
My overall experience of attending this course is very positive and I am extremely grateful to have attended. From looking at what mental health means to me, to learning about depression, eating disorders, psychosis, the early warning signs of mental ill health, the action points, everything was covered in such an empathetic, professional way. The sheer volume of what was covered was excellent. Huge thanks to Kathryn for making it so accessible to me.
Thank you for an amazing course, it was excellent. Everyone should do this course, and I will be recommending it to everyone I know.
The course was so helpful in terms of sharing discussions with others and to hear from an instructor who has lived experience. The topics were handled sensitively and thoroughly and it felt like a safe, supportive space in which to gain useful insight. Thank you!