Empower Your Workforce to Support Mental Health Confidently
Supporting mental well-being at work is no longer optional - it’s a key component of a healthy, productive organisation. Our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training and Certification programme helps your team gain the skills and confidence to identify, respond to, and support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges. Delivered onsite anywhere in Ireland, this one-day course combines expert instruction, practical exercises, and current legislative context to deliver actionable outcomes for your team.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course balances theoretical foundations with practical group exercises, including interactive case-based discussions and scenario planning to reinforce learning outcomes.
Participants are not required to have prior mental health experience.
- Duration: One full day (typically 6 to 7 hours)
- Location: Delivered onsite at your workplace or a designated venue
- Group size: Maximum of 12 participants per session
- Certification validity: Awarded upon completion, valid for 2 years
- Refresher training: Offered to maintain certification
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help offered to someone developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing condition, or facing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is given until professional medical treatment is available, MHFA provides timely, appropriate support until appropriate help is secured or the situation resolves.
Our course helps attendees to:
- Recognise emerging mental health issues
- Intervene early and support recovery
- Understand how to engage with professional and internal support networks
- Encourage open dialogue and reduce mental health stigma at work
Workplace Integration & Legal Compliance
MHFA is not just a personal skill - it supports your business objectives. Our training aligns with current Irish workplace health legislation, particularly regarding mental well-being under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act obligations. Course content is mapped to help reinforce and integrate MHFA into your existing Safety Statements, Risk Assessments, and well-being frameworks. We explore how MHFA can:
- Enhance internal safety and support policies
- Reduce absenteeism linked to unmanaged stress or anxiety
- Strengthen your organisation's duty of care to staff
- Promote a healthier, stigma-free work environment
Related Courses Available
SafeHands offers a range of complementary training designed to support workplace safety and well-being:
These programmes can be delivered in conjunction with MHFA to offer a comprehensive employee training solution.
Book Your MHFA Training Now
Prepare your team to support mental health with confidence, skill, and compassion. Contact SafeHands today.
Phone: +353 1 7979836 / +353 87 3823223
Email: info@safehands.ie
Or use our convenient Enquiry Form below to request a quote or schedule your training session.
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In-depth Course Content
Our course covers a wide range of essential fire safety topics. Each section is delivered in an interactive, easy-to-understand format, with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
Understanding Mental Health
Participants will explore a range of key concepts, including:
- Definitions and myths around mental health
- Overview of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance misuse
- Early signs and symptoms of mental health decline
- The personal and organisational impacts of poor mental health
Responding Effectively
- Strategies for approaching sensitive or emotional conversations
- Building rapport and trust with affected colleagues
- Establishing boundaries and managing expectations
- Knowing when and how to escalate to professional help
- Practising self-care to avoid burnout when supporting others
Mental Health Crises Addressed
Our training prepares attendees to confidently respond to:
- Suicidal ideation or attempts
- Self-harm or cutting behaviours
- Panic attacks and anxiety spikes
- Severe psychotic episodes
- Trauma-related distress
- Substance-induced mental health deterioration
- Aggressive or volatile emotional states
These real-life scenarios are addressed through group exercises, team discussions, and reflection activities to develop situational awareness and empathy.
Course Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Identify common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance misuse
- Understand and recognise behavioural warning signs
- Approach and support colleagues experiencing distress or crises
- Respond to scenarios involving suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, self-harm, or substance-related issues
- Encourage a supportive and legally compliant culture in the workplace
- Maintain their own mental well-being while supporting others
This training also promotes a shift in attitudes by normalising conversations around mental health and increasing empathy within teams.
Assessment & Certification
All participants are assessed through a combination of:
- Group exercises and case-based discussions
- Scenario demonstrations and roleplay
- Continuous participation-based evaluation
Upon successful completion, attendees are awarded a Mental Health First Aid Certificate, valid for two years. Refresher sessions are available on request to extend certification and maintain confidence in skills.
Why Choose SafeHands?
- Training delivered onsite, tailored to your specific organisational needs
- Facilitated by experienced instructors trained to current Irish standards
- Customisable scheduling to minimise business disruption
- Clear pricing - full payment in advance, no deposits or staging
- No third-party booking platforms - all enquiries handled directly
- Instructor qualifications are available upon request
We pride ourselves on delivering practical, relevant, and empathetic training that your team can use from day one.