Published: 31st March 2025.
Last updated: 31st March 2025.
Author: Cara Sherratt.

 

 

Mental Health First Aiders play a vital role in creating supportive workplaces and communities. They are trained to recognise signs of mental ill health, provide initial support, and maintain confidentiality. 

By promoting wellbeing, reducing stigma, and working alongside mental health professionals, Mental Health First Aiders help foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. They also gain an understanding of relevant legislation, learn how to respond to crisis situations and signpost individuals to professional help. 

Anxiety, depression and burnout accounts for the majority of days lost to work-related ill-health according to our research and the HSE reported that in 2023/24 over 16 million sick days were taken due to poor mental health. Through active listening and creating a safe space for open conversations, Mental Health First Aiders contribute to a healthier, more resilient communities and can help businesses reduce the number of lost days.

We asked our delegates for their opinions on mental health in the workplace and found that nearly 9 out of 10 people believe trained mental health first aiders should be available in all workplaces with almost 75% of people feeling that having trained staff would improve their workplace culture. Additionally, 7 out of 10 people shared that they have had a colleague confide in them about their mental health. This indicates that people are starting conversations about mental health and therefore creating opportunities where having the right skills and training could really make a difference.

We’ve completely redeveloped our new 2-day Mental Health First Aid course, designing the contents to provide a fully comprehensive view on Mental Health First Aid. We aim to deliver training that directly equips first aiders with the crucial lifesaving knowledge and skills that they need when it comes to managing mental health in the workplace. This means that in turn, we can help to reduce the impact of mental health on businesses and employers – reducing the rates of sick leave that are due to stress, depression or anxiety, while aiming to improve on the 16.4 million work days that were lost to mental ill-health across 2023-2024.¹

 

What to Expect

Our updated Mental Health First Aid course is ideal for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of mental health and develop the skills to support their own and others' wellbeing in the workplace. Whether you're a manager, team leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about creating a supportive work environment, this training will equip you with the confidence to make a real difference.

Join us for Mental Health First Aid training in 2025 to develop:

• Confidence to Support Others – Learn how to recognise signs of mental ill-health and offer initial help.
• Practical Skills – Develop active listening, empathic conversation, and safeguarding techniques.
• A Structured Approach – Understand and be aware of how to use a Mental Health Action Plan.
• Awareness of Cultural Differences – Understand how mental health perceptions vary across communities.
• Workplace Impact – Foster a mentally healthy culture and break down stigma in professional settings.
• Self-reflection Tools – Gain insights into your own wellbeing and how to maintain resilience. 
• Certification Options – Receive a certificate of attendance, with the option to complete an assessment for the Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid (RQF).

 

What Makes This Course Different?

Not all Mental Health courses are created equal. When you train with St John Ambulance, you’re learning from an organisation with a deep-rooted history in lifesaving training and wellbeing support. This course offers:

• Real-World, Practical Learning – We go beyond theory. Our course is designed with scenario-based training, equipping you with hands-on skills to confidently support mental wellbeing in real workplace situations.
• Confidence to Take Action – Recognising a mental health concern is only the first step. We ensure you leave not just with knowledge but with the confidence to provide meaningful support.
• Expert-Led Training – With decades of experience in emergency response and wellbeing, St John Ambulance brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge, ensuring that what you learn is grounded in best practice and real-life expertise supported by qualified subject matter experts and educational best practice.
• More Than a Certificate – This course is designed to embed mental health awareness into workplace culture, empowering individuals to drive change long after the training ends.
• A Trusted Name in First Aid & Wellbeing – St John Ambulance is synonymous with high-quality training. Employers and professionals across industries trust us to deliver training that is engaging, credible, and makes a real difference.

 

How to Get Qualified

Upon completing this course, you will receive a St John Ambulance certificate and become a certified Mental Health First Aider. You also have the additional option to achieve the Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid (RQF) by booking and completing a separate assessment.

Whether or not you choose to convert your certificate to a Level 3 Award qualification, you’ll cover the following topics on the course:

• Introduction to Mental Health First Aid – Understanding the role and responsibilities of a Mental Health First Aider
• The Mental Health Ripple Effect – How mental health challenges affect individuals and teams in the workplace
• Recognising the Signs – Identifying symptoms of common mental health conditions
• Confidentiality and Safeguarding – When and how to share concerns responsibly
• Active Listening Skills – Techniques for supportive, non-judgmental conversations
• Empathic Conversations – Approaching sensitive topics with care and understanding
• Mental Health Action Plan – A structured approach to offering support
• Supporting in Crisis Situations – Suicide awareness, panic attacks, and crisis intervention
• Cultural Differences in Mental Health – Understanding how cultural backgrounds influence mental health perceptions
• Maintaining Your Own Wellbeing – Strategies for self-care and resilience
• Signposting to Professional Help – Directing people to appropriate mental health resources
• Scenario-Based Learning – Applying skills through real-world case studies
  
  

All delegates who complete the Mental Health First Aid training will receive a St John Ambulance certificate, recognising their participation in the course.

Remember - to achieve the accredited Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid qualification, you must book the assessment separately.

 

Why Choose St John Ambulance for Mental Health First Aid?

Our expertise in physical first aid sets us apart—because we know that mental health is just as vital. This course integrates mental wellbeing with the same practical, life-saving approach we apply to physical first aid.

If you want more than just a qualification—if you want to truly understand, support, and improve mental wellbeing in your workplace—this is the course for you.

To enrol in our updated Mental Health First Aid training course, find your nearest location and date availability today.

 

 

¹ Survey conducted by St John Ambulance in February 2025 with 4,300 training course attendees.