Our Mental Health First Aid Course

 First Aid for Mental Health Training 

Mental health difficulties can affect anyone, at any time. Knowing how to recognise the signs, start a supportive conversation and guide someone towards appropriate help can make a genuine difference.

GroupTogether Ltd delivers regulated First Aid for Mental Health qualifications through Nuco Training. Our courses give learners the confidence and practical knowledge to offer initial support—without expecting them to become a counsellor, therapist or office psychologist overnight.

Which Course Is Right for You?

FAA Level 1 Award in Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health

Duration: 4 hours
Minimum age: 14
Certification: Valid for three years

This introductory qualification is ideal for employees, volunteers and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of mental health. Learners will cover:

• What mental health is and what can affect it
• Stigma surrounding mental health conditions
• The role of a First Aider for Mental Health
• Offering appropriate advice, reassurance and practical support
• When emergency services may be required
• Recognising and managing stress
• Recognising signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, suicide and self-harm

This is an awareness qualification. Anyone wishing to qualify as a First Aider for Mental Health should complete the Level 2 or Level 3 course.

FAA Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health

Duration: 6 hours delivered over one day
Minimum age: 14
Certification: Valid for three years

This qualification is suitable for employees, designated wellbeing champions and anyone who may need to support colleagues, friends or family members. Learners will cover:

• Understanding mental health and the factors that can affect it
• Recognising a range of mental health conditions
• Starting a supportive and non-judgemental conversation
• Offering reassurance and appropriate practical support
• Recognising and managing stress
• Understanding the effects of alcohol and drug misuse on mental health
• Knowing when and how to signpost someone towards professional help
• Using the First Aid for Mental Health action plan
• Supporting a positive mental health culture within the workplace

Assessment consists of a written assessment and a practical demonstration of the First Aid for Mental Health action plan.

Successful learners will qualify as a First Aider for Mental Health.

FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health

Duration: 12 hours delivered over two days
Minimum age: 16
Certification: Valid for three years

This more detailed qualification is particularly suitable for managers, supervisors, HR professionals, wellbeing leads and those responsible for supporting workplace mental health. Learners will cover:

• The role and responsibilities of a First Aider for Mental Health
• Providing appropriate advice and practical support
• Recognising and managing stress
• The impact of substance misuse on mental health
• Using the First Aid for Mental Health action plan
• Developing a positive mental health culture
• Recognising depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia
• Understanding the professional support and therapies available for different mental health conditions
• Knowing when emergency or specialist help is required

Assessment consists of two written assessments and a practical demonstration of the First Aid for Mental Health action plan.

Successful learners will qualify as a First Aider for Mental Health.

What These Courses Do—and Don’t—Teach

First Aiders for Mental Health do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide clinical treatment. These courses teach learners how to recognise when someone may be struggling, listen without judgement, offer reassurance and help them access appropriate professional support.

Some course content includes sensitive subjects such as suicide and self-harm. These topics are delivered respectfully within a supportive learning environment.

Why Choose GroupTogether Ltd?

Our training is delivered by experienced professionals from emergency-services backgrounds and specialists within their fields.

We keep the sessions practical, interactive and human. There is no jargon marathon, and we certainly don’t pretend that putting up a wellbeing poster is a complete mental health strategy.

Before training, we can help you complete a training needs analysis to identify the most appropriate qualification for your team. We can also tailor discussions and examples to your workplace, school or organisation while continuing to meet the required FAA syllabus.

Courses can be delivered at your premises, with UK-wide availability.

Certification and Refresher Training

These regulated qualifications are awarded by First Aid Awards and delivered through Nuco Training.

Certificates remain valid for three years. Annual refresher training is strongly recommended to help learners maintain their confidence and keep their knowledge current.

Start the Conversation

Not sure which level your organisation needs? Contact GroupTogether Ltd and we will help you choose the right course—without the hard sell or unnecessary extras.

Email: info@grouptogether.org.uk
Telephone: 07949 365621