Charity news10 May 20264 min read

MHFA training now available for UK employers

By Unmasked Mental Health

Build a More Confident, Mental Health-Aware Workplace with Unmasked

Mental health difficulties do not disappear when someone arrives at work. They can affect confidence, attendance, performance, relationships and an individual’s ability to cope—but knowing how to recognise the early signs and respond appropriately can make an enormous difference.

Unmasked Mental Health is now accredited to deliver NUCO First Aid for Mental Health qualifications to businesses and organisations across West Yorkshire.

These nationally recognised qualifications give people the confidence and practical skills to recognise when someone may be struggling, begin a supportive conversation and guide them towards appropriate professional help.

Training delivered with genuine clinical insight

What sets Unmasked’s training apart is the depth of real-world mental health experience behind it.

Our qualifications are delivered by Lynsey Judson, Unmasked Mental Health’s Counselling Lead and Clinical Supervisor. Lynsey is a qualified counsellor and counselling supervisor with extensive experience of supporting people experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, both through her private practice and her work at Unmasked.

As the lead for our counselling service, Lynsey oversees a large team of counsellors and student counsellors, supports complex cases and helps to maintain the quality, safety and clinical standards of the support we provide.

This means the training goes beyond simply working through a course manual. Lynsey brings the subject to life using her extensive professional knowledge, practical insight and understanding of how mental health difficulties can present in real situations.

Participants can explore the questions and challenges that arise in real workplaces with someone who understands mental health from both a clinical and organisational perspective.

Which qualifications are available?

We can deliver three levels of NUCO-accredited First Aid for Mental Health training:

Level 1 – Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health

This introductory course helps participants develop a better understanding of mental health and recognise some of the signs that someone may be experiencing difficulties.

It is ideal for employees who would benefit from increased mental health awareness and greater confidence in starting a supportive conversation.

Level 2 – First Aid for Mental Health

This one-day qualification provides a more detailed understanding of mental health conditions and introduces a practical First Aid for Mental Health Action Plan.

Participants learn how to recognise potential mental health difficulties, approach someone sensitively, provide initial support and signpost them towards appropriate professional help.

It is particularly suitable for employees who will act as designated Mental Health First Aiders within their workplace.

Level 3 – Supervising First Aid for Mental Health

This comprehensive two-day qualification is designed for managers, supervisors, senior leaders and those with responsibility for mental health and wellbeing within an organisation.

It explores a wider range of mental health conditions and considers how organisations can develop a positive, supportive and informed workplace culture.

Why invest in First Aid for Mental Health training?

Managers and colleagues are often the first people to notice that someone’s behaviour, performance or wellbeing has changed. However, many people worry about saying the wrong thing, making the situation worse or becoming involved in something they do not feel equipped to handle.

Good training removes some of that uncertainty.

First Aid for Mental Health training can help your organisation:

Increase awareness and understanding of mental health
Give employees greater confidence to begin supportive conversations
Help managers recognise potential warning signs at an earlier stage
Reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help sooner
Improve signposting to appropriate professional support
Strengthen your wider workplace wellbeing strategy
Develop a more compassionate and supportive organisational culture

Mental Health First Aiders are not expected to diagnose conditions, provide counselling or replace professional services. Their role is to notice, listen, reassure and help someone take the next step towards suitable support.

Training shaped around your organisation

Our courses are suitable for employers, charities, community organisations, public-sector teams and other organisations that want to develop a more confident and informed approach to mental health.

Training can be arranged for groups within your organisation, and we can discuss the most appropriate qualification based on the responsibilities and existing knowledge of your team. These can be delivered face to face or online.

As a mental health charity providing counselling and community wellbeing services across Calderdale, we understand that workplace mental health is not simply a policy or a training exercise. Behind every situation is a real person who may be finding it difficult to cope.

By choosing Unmasked, you are investing in an accredited qualification delivered with compassion, credibility and genuine frontline mental health experience.

Start building a more mental health-aware workplace

If you would like to arrange NUCO First Aid for Mental Health training for your organisation, or would like advice about which qualification is right for your team, please contact Unmasked Mental Health.

Together, we can give more people the confidence to notice when someone may be struggling, start an important conversation and help them access the right support

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