Mental health first aid is a new national training programme suitable for all individuals, employers and employees.

Mental health first aid has been designed to promote awareness of mental health issues amongst the wider public, and to train non-professionals to recognise those affected by mental health problems. The aim is to offer initial help and guidance towards professional support.

By training people within the community and the workplace, mhfa aims to tackle the prejudice and stigma traditionally associated with mental health problems, and to improve the outcomes for those affected; their families, friends, colleagues and employers.

mhfa-northeast offers mental health first aid training in the northeast region. We currently have 4 specialist instructors available to deliver a 12 hour intensive mhfa programme developed and regulated by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE*) and England's Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP**).

The programme is usually facilitated over 2 days.

**CSIP – Care Services Improvement Partnership. Regulated and funded by the Department of Health in order to develop and improve health and social care within the community.