At the end of January, we held one of our regular Mental Health First Aid training courses. For the first time, we welcomed a person we support as a participant on the course. Philippa is very active within Achieve together as one of our Unity members. She passed her mental health first aid training with flying colours.
Unity is a group working internally within the organisation to embed co-production between team members and the people Achieve together supports.
Commenting on the experience, Philippa said: “The training was interesting and rewarding, for example the team building and group exercises. I joined the group to build my confidence, get a qualification and to meet new people. I’m interested in learning new things and the qualification is a good achievement.”
Philippa plans to use her knowledge to help others in Achieve together and Achieve together homes.
Congratulations to all 13 of our new Mental Health Champions for attending and passing the course. Mental Health trainer, Shirley Allmark, said: “Everyone was very positive about the day. Our Unity member Philippa was amazing, often volunteering to feedback to the whole group after activities.”
What the course covers
The training is open to anyone within the organisation and covers a range of topics. These include:
- How to provide advice and practical support for a person presenting a suspected mental health condition
- How to recognise and manage stress
- The first aid action plan for mental health and how to put it in place
- How to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace.
Mental Health Champions are the main point of contact for anyone in their team regarding mental health. They have supportive conversations with people, listen non-judgmentally, provide reassurance and signpost to any appropriate professional support. The newly qualified cohort will work with fellow Mental Health Champions to reduce stigma and promote awareness at work by cascading awareness activities and acting as supportive role models.
