The Royal Society for Public Health announces support for training and qualifications in Mental Health First Aid.

At the first Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) conference being held at London’s Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on 10th December, the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) will announce that, together with the National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE), it is developing a national qualification in Mental Health First Aid and is also accrediting the national training programme for the MHFA course instructors.

Following its development in Australia, and delivery in several other countries including Scotland, the MHFA course has been adapted for use in England by NIMHE. Over 100 MHFA instructors have so far been trained across England and courses have been delivered to 2000 trainees.

RSPH accreditation of the instructor programme has entailed a rigorous expert review of all aspects of the course, including the programme’s objectives, training materials, assessment methods, course delivery, training strategy and programme development. RSPH accreditation provides an independent reassurance of the programme’s quality and content.

RSPH also announces it is developing a nationally recognized qualification in MHFA, due to be launched in 2009. The national qualification is designed for those who have undertaken training as Mental Health “first aiders”, but are not mental health professionals. Examples are staff in teaching, probation, police and prison services, government officials and those working in business corporations who have responsibility for staff health and wellbeing. The training includes the recognition of the risk factors and symptoms of a range of mental health problems, how to offer initial help to the person affected and provision of guidance to sources of professional support.

Dr Robin Philipp, an NHS Consultant Occupational and Public Health Physician, and a Trustee of the RSPH, is speaking at the MHFA conference. He says “The MHFA programme offers a significant and welcome contribution to de-stigmatising mental health problems and helps support the Government’s well-being agenda. Mental health first aiders are able to provide early support to those suffering mental health issues and guide them towards sources of professional help”.

Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of the RSPH comments “With at least a quarter of Britons experiencing at least one mental Health problem at some time, the RSPH is pleased to be supporting this important initiative in improving mental health and wellbeing”.

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Notes to editors

• The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is an independent, multi-disciplinary organisation, dedicated to the promotion and protection of collective human health and wellbeing. Through advocacy, mediation, empowerment, knowledge and practice we advise on policy development, provide education and training services, encourage scientific research, disseminate information and certify products, training centres and processes.
• The RSPH enjoys patronage of Her Majesty the Queen
• The RSPH is a registered charity (www.rsph.org.uk)
• The RIPH and the RSH are two of the oldest public health bodies in the world, with over 150 years experience in protecting and promoting public health and legally merged to become the RSPH on October 1st 2008.
• MHFA was adapted for use in England by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) (www.mhfaengland.org.uk ).

For further information please contact:
Dr Anna Zilnyk
Royal Society for Public Health
Tel: 020 3177 1624 [email protected]