Mental Health First Aid Qualification
The Royal Society for Public Health is working with the National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE) to develop a national qualification [] in Mental Health First Aid.
This initiative follows Dame Carol Black’s 2008 Review of Health, Work and Wellbeing , which identified the need for support for patients in the early stages of illness including mental health conditions, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Report recommending training of workplace line managers on how to recognise mental ill health/distress and how to respond.
This Level 2 qualification [] is being designed for those who have undertaken training (currently being rolled out across England by NIMHE) as Mental Health “first aiders” and who would welcome the opportunity to obtain an associated qualification []. These individuals may work in teaching, probation, police or prison services, government or business corporations where they may have responsibility for staff health and wellbeing.
The award is being developed because, although there are a number of mental health qualifications [] already in existence, they have a different focus and approach from that which is required . The content will cover the risk factors and symptoms of a range of mental health problems, how to offer initial help and support to the person affected and guidance on sources of professional support. The award will reflect elements of relevant national occupational standards and will be likely to have a credit value of two.
The development origins for this award do not meet the standard criteria required by the relevant Sector Skills Councils, so there are a number of issues which need to be resolved with them to secure their support, but the objective is to address these and then to obtain national accreditation for the award.
Our plans for this award were presented to a national conference held by NIMHE in December 2008 where they received strong support from delegates. The qualification [] outline is being developed and we will be undertaking a consultation with employers when we have a full draft award specification available. If you are an employer from one from the professions indicated above and you would like to participate in this consultation, please contact Wendy Moore, Qualifications [] Development Manager, email wmoore@rsph.org.uk or telephone 020 3177 1643.