Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training

Due to the high demand for training, there is some eligibility criteria to consider:

• Current volunteer or staff member of a VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith, Social Enterprise) organisation, health and social care or local authority in Northamptonshire
• Learner has not attended a Mental Health First Aid or Suicide First Aid course within the past 3 years
• A learner can only choose one course within the entire programme (Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Suicide First Aid: Understanding Suicide Intervention or Suicide First Aid: Children and Young People)
• In each wave, a maximum of two learners from each organisation
• Both the learner and their manager agree to the terms set out below

Learner Agreement

• By signing up for this training, I am committing to take action as a champion for mental health and suicide prevention, actively contributing to a mentally healthier Northamptonshire:
• My manager and I have read about, and understand, what the role involves: Mental Health First Aider or Suicide First Aider
• I acknowledge that places on the training course are limited and agree to attend in full. Should I become unable to participate, I will inform West Northamptonshire Council as soon as possible
• My manager has agreed to:
  • My full attendance at the training course
  • My new role and the associated responsibilities as a Mental Health First Aider or Suicide First Aider
  • Offer support and supervision as needed to help me carry out my role effectively while also taking care of my wellbeing
  • Commit, as far as possible, to funding future training to ensure my mental health knowledge, awareness, and skills are up to date. To remain a Mental Health First Aider after three years, a 4-hour refresher course must be completed
• Following the course, I consent to participating in occasional surveys designed to evaluate the effectiveness and practical application of the training

Aimed at

This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to spot the signs of poor mental health, feel confident starting a conversation, and signpost someone to appropriate support.

If you work with children or young people, the Youth Mental Health First Aid course may be more suitable.

Learning outcomes

• Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention
• Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports
• Practise active listening and empathy
• Have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma
• Discuss the MHFAider role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality
• Practise self-care

Visit MHFA England to learn more about the role of a Mental Health First Aider and how the course is structured.

Aimed at

Anyone who works with, or supports young people aged 8 to 18 and wants to gain the knowledge, awareness and skills to spot the signs of a young person experiencing poor mental health, the confidence to start a conversation and the tools to safeguard and signpost to appropriate support.

Learning outcomes

• Explain what mental health is ​
• Describe how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing ​
• Describe the signs of poor mental health in young people ​
• Explain some of the risk factors associated with poor mental health in young people ​
• Demonstrate how to apply the Youth MHFA action plan (ALGEE®) in a Youth Mental Health First Aid conversation ​
• Describe the role of a Youth MHFAider®

Visit MHFA England to learn more about the role of a Youth Mental Health First Aider and how the course is structured. 

Aimed at

This course is for people in any profession or community role who want to learn how to learn how to recognise the signs that someone may be thinking about suicide, start a life-saving conversation and help them access support. 

Learning outcomes

• Understanding suicide and it's causes: Gain insights into the complex factors that can lead to thoughts of suicide and suicide behaviours, including mental health issues, emotional distress, and societal pressures.
• Recognising signs: Learn how to identify the verbal, behavioural, and situational indicators that someone may be thinking of suicide.
• Effective communication techniques: Develop skills to engage in sensitive and supportive conversations, helping to de-escalate crises and offer hope to those in need.
• Immediate intervention strategies: Acquire practical tools and approaches for providing immediate support, including how to refer individuals to mental health professionals and other resources.
• Ethical considerations: Understand the ethical responsibilities involved in suicide prevention, including confidentiality, consent, and the importance of self-care.

Find out more on the Suicide First Aid website.

Aimed at

Individuals working in education or roles related to working with young people, this programme equips you with the tools to recognise the signs of suicide thoughts and behaviour. It shows you how to initiate lifesaving conversations and connect young people with appropriate resources.

Learning outcomes

• Understanding suicide: Gain insights into the complex factors that can lead to suicide thoughts and behaviours in young people experiencing acute stress, including school pressures, mental health challenges, and societal factors.
• Recognising the signs in young people: Learn how to identify the verbal, behavioural, and situational indicators that someone may be at thinking about suicide.
• Effective communication techniques for distressed young people: Develop skills to engage in sensitive and supportive conversations tailored to those struggling, helping to de-escalate crises and offer hope.
• Immediate intervention strategies for thougths of suicide: Acquire practical tools and approaches for providing immediate support to young people vulnerable to suicide, including how to refer them to mental health professionals and counselling services.
• Ethical considerations in suicide prevention: Understand the ethical and safeguarding responsibilities involved in suicide prevention within the context of supporting young people, including confidentiality, consent, and the importance of self-care.

Visit the Suicide First Aid website for more information.

Do you want to boost your own wellbeing while making a positive impact in your workplace or community? Our Champions Training is free for those working or volunteering in Northamptonshire’s Voluntary, Charitable, Social Enterprise, Faith, and Health and Social Care sectors! 

Find out more about Action for Happiness Northants.

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) have some short, free, online courses that can be taken by anyone who wants to learn basic suicide awareness and prevention skills.

The training is aimed at anyone aged 16 and over who wants to know what to do if they are ever in a situation where someone they know or see may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.