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Mental health first aid champion

We have doubled the grant rates for short course tiers 1 – 3. To address rising costs, you can now receive higher rates on course achievements from 1st April 2023

Grant Tier

Achievement date before 1 April 2023

Achievement date on or after 1 April 2023

Grant Tier 1

Grant Tier 1 Refresher

£30

£15

£60

£30

Grant Tier 2

Grant Tier 2 Refresher

£70

£35

£140

£70

Grant Tier 3

Grant Tier 3 Refresher

£120

£60

£240

£120
  • Last updated: 29 January 2021
  • Grant rate/tier: £60 (Tier 1)
  • Grant code: GET2337

Mental health first aid champion

This training standard is one of a set of standards for mental health first aid training. The purpose of this standard is to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills to become a mental health first aid (MHFA) Champion.
Find a course for this standard

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 7 to 8 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills to become a mental health first aid (MHFA) Champion.

MHFA champions have:

  • 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

The scope of this standard covers:

Session 1

  • mental health first aid
  • mental health and stress in the workplace 
  • stigma and discrimination
  • depression
  • anxiety disorders
  • other mental health issues (eating disorders, self-harm, psychosis)
  • early warning signs of mental ill health
  • alcohol, drugs and mental health

Session 2

  • applying the mental health first aid action plan
  • action 1: approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
  • suicide
  • action 2: listen and communicate non-judgmentally
  • action 3: give support and information
  • action 4: encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
  • action 5: encourage other supports
  • recovery
  • building a mentally healthy workplace
  • action planning for using MHFA

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s):

  • operative and craft
  • supervision.

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard.

Instruction/supervision

Qualified mental health first aid (MHFA) instructors can deliver this course. Instructors must have completed the seven-day adult MHFA instructor training course, and also attended an adult MHFA one day CPD.

Delivery

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation.

The day includes a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities. The instructor can adapt the training to the relevant sector, so examples and scenarios relevant to the construction sector should be used.

The class size is limited to 16 people per course to allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following method may be used in the delivery of this standard:

  • classroom

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical learning.

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the candidate has achieved all of the learning outcomes.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

There are no mandatory renewal or recommended refreshment requirements for this standard. The recommended refreshment requirement is every three years (as per other Health & Safety Executive (HSE) first aid courses)

Approval date

July 2019

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

  • Recognise the main signs and symptoms of mental ill health
  • Provide initial help
  • Guide the person towards appropriate professional help
  • Develop an understanding of how they can create and maintain a healthier and more productive workforce
  • Be mindful of their own wellbeing

Additional information about this standard

Research and policy

Legislation

Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

Advice and support (not an exhaustive list)

Your own organisation might give free/subsidised access to confidential counselling and advice services.

Grants

Find out how to claim a grant for short duration training courses

ATO course accreditation

Find out how to accredit a training course to a standard.

Related standards