Funded by Lewisham Council, Develop Your Mind are offering free accredited online Mental Health First Aid Youth training to anyone who works with young people in Lewisham. Programmes will commence in March 2022 with limited spaces available.
Why is this training free?
This training is being commissioned by Lewisham Council funded by the governments’ mental health recovery action plan, which has set out to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.
According to the Office of National Statistics 76% of young people feel that their mental wellbeing has been significantly affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.
In response to this statistic, Lewisham Council wish to train and create a network of people who can support our young people’s mental wellbeing. Working with Develop Your Mind, experts in facilitating mental health training in workplaces, we are offering to train people who work with young people in the borough and create a network of mental health first aiders. Creating a safe environment to share support and give our young people the best support that we can.
Who is this training for?
The fully-funded Mental Health First Aid training is for people who work with young people in Lewisham. (The RRP is normally £300 pp).
To be eligible for this free Mental Health First Aid training, you must meet the following criteria:
- Work with young people in the borough of Lewisham
- Agree to be part of a network of Mental Health First Aiders
- Attend network meetings and be an active member of the network
What is a Mental Health First Aider?
Similar to a First Aider who is the go-to-person for immediate assistance with physical health or illness, a Mental Health First Aider is the first port of call for anyone experiencing a mental health issue.
It is important to remember that the Mental Health First Aider course does not teach people to be therapists or counsellors and does not teach people how to diagnose mental health conditions or provide ongoing support.
The Mental Health First Aider role is to act as a point of contact and reassurance for a person who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. Maintaining appropriate boundaries is a key part of successfully providing Mental Health First Aid and keeping yourself well.
Where does this training take place?
The MHFA training takes place online over four manageable sessions.
You can find out more about the course and its content here
What about the network?
Being a mental health first aider is a rewarding role but can be a challenging one. Remember you are not on your own in this role, we want a network of mental health first aiders to be able to support each other and share resources.
We believe that by having a network of people who are trained as Mental Health first aiders, you will always have someone to turn to, when you may need advice, support or looking for new signposts. We hope that you will never feel alone when performing your mental health first aid duties.
How do I book my place?
To book your place, please email sharon@developyourmind.co.uk stating your name, role, and organisation or contact us here. Please also include a short message to confirm your eligibility for the programme and indicate your preferred dates.
Limited spaces are available so book now to avoid disappointment.
Want to know more?
Contact us by email sharon@developyourmind.co.uk or call 07411124437
When do the fully-funded MHFA courses take place?
Our courses will take place on the following dates and times (each delegate must attend all four sessions and complete self-guided learning in between to qualify as a Mental Health First Aider)
March 2022:
Tuesday 8th March 6.00pm-8.00pm
Tuesday 15th March 6.00pm-8.30pm
Tuesday 22nd March 6.00pm-8.00pm
Tuesday 29th March 6.00pm-8.00pm
March/April 2022:
Monday 14th March 9.30-11.30
Monday 21st March 9.30-12.00
Monday 28th March 9.30-11.30
Monday 4th April 9.30-11.30
April 2022
Monday 18th April 9.30-11.30
Tuesday 19th April 9.30-12.00
Monday 25th April 9.30-11.30
Tuesday 26th April 9.30-11.30