Mental Health First Aid
Now is the time to make mental health a priority and to learn the skills and confidence you need to look after your own mental health and support others.
Now is the time to make mental health a priority and to learn the skills and confidence you need to look after your own mental health and support others.
Now is the time to make mental health a priority and to learn the skills and confidence you need to look after your own mental health and support others.
Mental Health First Aid course dates:
2026 – 2027
Secure 1-4 places on an upcoming course
Or read on to find out more.
Our highly skilled and experienced training team offer interactive training programmes, fully accredited by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, that equip you to recognise the signs of mental health problems and the confidence to help someone in mental health distress.
The certificated Mental Health First Aid courses are led by approved and knowledgeable instructors and the programme offers a flexible, interactive learning experience with group discussions and workshop activities.
Courses
Become a Mental Health First Aider
Next course dates
16, 17, 18 and 19 March 2026, 9.30am-1.30pm – online
12 and 19 June 2026, 9.30am-5pm – in person
Who is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training for?
This course is ideal for anyone (18 and over) who would like to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. In addition, you will become part of the largest dedicated community of Mental Health First Aiders in England, the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, gaining access to resources, ongoing learning, and 24/7 digital support, to give you the tools and knowledge you need to carry out the role effectively and confidently, whether that be in your workplace, a volunteer role, or in the community.
What will I learn?
This course trains you as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®), giving you:
- Knowledge and practical skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health.
- Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress.
- Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
- Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s self-help resources, through their employer, the NHS or a mix.
- Tools to look after your own wellbeing.
- Through the MHFAider Support App®, exclusive resources and ongoing learning opportunities, you will be able to keep your learning and confidence alive, quickly reference something and understand what is current with mental health and wellbeing support.
Do I receive a certificate when the course is completed?
Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance to authenticate you are an MHFAider®
What about ongoing support?
By joining the Association of Mental Health First Aiders members will receive exclusive access to a wide range of resources, from training and qualifications to events and research. This includes:
- The MHFAider Support App®. Access to features such as a 24/7 text support service, signposting to a national database of health services, and insights that teach critical self-care skills
- Access to the MHFA England Online Learning Hub. This includes resources such as course manuals and MHFAider® guides
- First-hand insights. Learn from real people sharing their honest and lived experiences of mental health conditions
- Online networking. Invites to exclusive quarterly webinars to help your MHFAiders carry out their role with confidence, skill, and care
- Monthly newsletters. MHFAiders will be kept up to date with all the latest news from our community
Note that participants must complete all live sessions within a single intake to receive their certificate.
How much does it cost?
MHFA England value this course at £325 per person. West Kent Mind subsidises this to individuals who live, work or study within the West Kent area; this special rate is £250 per person.
Can I book this course?
To book for up to 4 delegates (pay now – preferred – or if necessary request an invoice)
For larger groups please email us.
I can’t make any of these dates
If you’d like further information or future course dates, please email us, we’re happy to help.
I want to book a course for my organisation
For groups, to book through your organisation or to discuss options for workplace training, please email us.
I attended Mental Health First Aid training course through West Kent Mind and can whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to know how to spot and respond to the needs of someone experiencing a mental health issue.
Hear from one of our recent course participants, Jeanette Forder.
Who is Mental Health Skills for Managers training for?
This workshop is ideal for anyone with people management responsibilities and can help to ensure a consistent approach to mental health and wellbeing support across teams and organisations.
What will I learn?
This course builds skills in line managers and leaders to feel confident to have mental health conversations as part of their everyday management role.
Managers will learn to:
- Identify if an employee may be experiencing mental health issues
- Feel confident having open conversations about mental health with their team members
- Appropriately signpost to available support and know where to go for support and guidance for themselves
- Role model good self-care practice, inspiring their teams to look after their own mental health and wellbeing
Do I receive a certificate when the course is completed?
Everyone who completes the course gets:
- A certificate of attendance
- Tools to take care of their own mental health as a manager and empower their teams
- Digital workbook to use during the course
- Digital support resource to help embed ongoing learning and development
How do I book this course?
To book this course for your organisation, or to discuss options for workplace training, please email us.
Are you a Mental Health First Aider working in a small business, charity or community setting?
You may not be due for a refresher yet, but if you’d welcome the chance to reconnect with your training, build confidence, and share experiences with others in a similar role, this session is for you.
Join us for a 90-minute peer mentoring and support drop-in, led by an experienced MHFA instructor. Whether you bring a specific challenge to explore or simply want to listen and learn, you’ll find a safe, welcoming space to reflect, grow, and connect.
What to expect:
- Peer support and discussion guided by a qualified MHFA instructor
- A refresher on best practices for supporting others
- Signposting to local mental health services
- A self-care challenge to take away
- The opportunity to build your network of fellow MHFAiders
How much does it cost?
Limited to 8 participants | £20 per person
All proceeds support the ongoing work of West Kent Mind, helping to provide vital mental health services in our local community.
Dates and times:
14 October 2025, 12-1.30pm, online via Teams
To book an individual place:
For larger groups please email us.
I can’t make any of these dates
If you’d like further information or future dates, please email us, we’re happy to help.
I want to book a course for my organisation
For groups, to book through your organisation or to discuss options for workplace training, please email us.
This short course will provide you with a basic knowledge of some common mental health problems, an introduction to managing wellbeing, and the confidence and skills to provide initial support to someone in distress or who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
Who is Mental Health Awareness Training for?
Anyone (18 and over) who want to learn more about mental health and mental ill health.
What will I learn?
In this awareness-raising session we will cover:
- What is mental health?
- Factors which affect mental health
- Stigma
- Stress and stress management
- Spotting signs of distress
- Some common mental health conditions
- Starting a supportive conversation
- Recovery
- My Mental Health Toolkit
Do I receive a certificate when the course is completed?
Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance to say you are Mental Health Aware.
How do I book this course?
To book this course for your organisation, or to discuss options for workplace training, please email us.
I found it really interesting and it has given me some valuable tools. I think it will make me much more proactive looking after my own mental health and that of my colleagues.
MHFA England® recommend that Mental Health First Aiders take the MHFA Refresher course every three years to ensure their mental health knowledge, awareness, and skills are up to date. You will also need to take the course to become part of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, which provides ongoing development, support, and confidence to do your role.
Next course dates TBC
To register your interest, please email us.
You will be asked to provide a copy of your Mental Health First Aid certificate.
Who is it for?
Anyone who has completed a Mental Health First Aid course in the last three years.
What will I learn?
This refresher session is a chance to:
- Renew your skills
- Update your knowledge of mental health support
- Practice applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan
Once you have completed your MHFA Refresher course, you will be certified for three years and will be invited to become or stay a member of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders – making sure you have everything you need to feel confident when supporting others.
Do I receive a certificate when the course is completed?
Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance to confirm that you have refreshed your Mental Health First Aid Skills.
How much does it cost?
MHFA England values this course at £150 per person. West Kent Mind subsidises this to individuals who live, work or study within the West Kent area, so the cost is £125 per person.
I want to book a course for my organisation
For groups, to book through your organisation or to discuss options for workplace training, please email us.
This training is something every manager should do regularly in order to best support their people and the issues that some people experience. The trainers were both fab and really encouraged us all to get talking.
Whilst key figures in a young person’s life such as parents, family members, teachers, carers or youth workers can often spot when a young person is struggling, they may not know how to help. Learn how to feel confident to step in, reassure and support a young person in distress.
Who is Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for?
Youth Mental Health First Aid courses are for everyone who works with, lives with or supports young people aged 8-18. The programme will teach you the skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues in a young person, offer first aid and guide them towards the support they need.
What will I learn?
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course qualifies you as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, giving you:
- An in-depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing
- Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
- Confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress
- Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
- Knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether that’s through self-help sites, their place of learning, the NHS, or a mix – engaging with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate.
- Ability to support a young person with a long term mental health issue or disability to thrive
- Tools to look after your own mental wellbeing
Do I receive a certificate when the course is completed?
Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance to authenticate you are a Youth Mental Health First Aider.
How do I book this course?
To book this course for your school or organisation, please email us.
I was impressed with delivery of the trainer and her openness to some difficult questions. She obviously knew a lot about this subject, both from experience and research. She was also passionate about passing on her knowledge and experience to help adults learn how to approach and help distressed children and YP. I very much benefited from learning about this difficult subject.
I would like to thank you for the past two days, I learned so much from you and I can say I have much better understanding for people who struggle with their mental health and I know I am able to help them or support them. I really enjoyed the course, you made it interesting and interactive.
Kristýna Heczková, Rockdale Housing Association
I would like to thank you for the past two days, I learned so much from you and I can say I have much better understanding for people who struggle with their mental health and I know I am able to help them or support them. I really enjoyed the course, you made it interesting and interactive.
Kristýna Heczková, Rockdale Housing Association
