Mental Health First Aid Training
Do you want to support the mental wellbeing of your team mates?
Your Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service has partnered with Mental Health First AID (MHFA) England, completing training to be able to deliver their Mental Health First Aider course within the Trust.
This course is ideal for staff who would like to gain the knowledge, awareness, and skills, to spot signs of collegues experiencing poor mental health, and be confident to start a conversation, and signpost a person to appropriate support.
Watch and learn why over 20,000 employers have chosen MHFA England for their Mental Health First Aid training.
Since rolling out the training in the autumn of 2022, the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service has trained over 200 Mersey Care employees and the team are continuing to run the course regularly with in person and virtual options.
Places are limited for these courses and is funded at cost to the Trust. You should only express your interest in completing training following authorisation from your line manager.
The team also wants to hear from you if you have already completed the training and want to be added to a database of MHFAiders. More information on the specific requirements can be seen in the sections below.
We are pleased to confirm more opportunities for you to become a Mental Health First Aider to support the mental wellbeing of your team.
The course will teach you practical skills to spot triggers and signs of mental health issues and gain confidence to step in, reassure and support a colleague in distress.
On completion you will be a certified Mental Health First Aider.
Available course dates are listed below.
Each course is two full days, between approximately 9am to 5pm. You need to attend both dates in full to obtain the certificate.
You must have permission from your line manager before booking a place and you will need to declare this when using the registration link, alongside your team name, base and division.
There is also an expectation that you will take on the role of Wellbeing Advocate, following completion of the Mental Health First Aider training.
| Dates | Venue | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 20 and 21 November 2025 | V7 Building (Trust Headquarters) | Now fully booked |
| 10 and 11 December 2025 | Virtual delivery on Teams | Book a place on this course |
A minimum of eight participants is needed per course for training to be completed successfully. If these numbers are not achieved, dates will be rescheduled.
If you have completed training with Mental Health First Aid England and hold the recognised Mental Health First Aider qualification, let the Health and Wellbeing team know and we can add your details to a database.
Confirm your MHFA First Aider status here.
Since rolling out the training in the autumn of 2022, the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service has trained over 200 Mersey Care employees.
Mental Health First Aiders are represented within all divisions and across over 40 Mersey Care sites.
If you would like to speak to a Mental Health First Aider within the Trust, email wellbeinghub
| Community Care Division | Mental Health Care Division | Secure Care Division | Trust Wide Support Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 32 | 22 | 68 |
A
B
C
Centre for Independent Living Service
D
G
H
K
Knowsley Resource and Recovery Centre
L
Litherland Urgent Treatment Centre
Livingston Drive Health Centre
M
Manor Farm Primary Care Resource Centre
N
O
Old Swan Urgent Treatment Centre
P
Picton Neighbourhood Health and Children's Centre
R
Rowan View Hospital - Maghull Health Park
S
Saturn House
Stockbridge Village Health Centre
T
Talking Therapies (Dale Street)
V
V7 Building (Trust Headquarters)
W
Whiston Primary Care Resource Centre
If you would like to speak to a Mental Health First Aider within the Trust, email wellbeinghub
Page last updated 7 July 2025.
Name, role, division and base
Suzanne Murphy, Personal Assistant and Administration Manager – Secure Division, Ashworth Hospital
Why you became a MHFAider
I’d heard about the course from a friend who works in a leadership position in the Private Sector and I knew it would be a valuable experience for me personally and professionally. I pride myself on having a compassionate and approachable leadership style so I hoped the course would enhance existing skills. I did have reservations about how I would be any help in my existing environment, due to being surrounding by experienced mental health clinicians in all the disciplines however I was reassured both on the course and after, by my qualified colleagues that I would still be a helpful support as a Mental Health First Aider.
Since completing the course in April last year, I have had several supportive conversations with team members, peers, friends and even strangers outside of work. The approach we learned on the course has meant that I have confidently approached people that may have been struggling in the right way and been able to signpost them to relevant and appropriate support. It helped reinforce the boundary that whilst I am not qualified to resolve or treat any challenges but by being there to listen, reassure and signpost, I can still support.
The people I line manage openly say how supported they feel, and I think the experience of being a mental health first aider has contributed to this. I have created a safe and trusting team culture that I am exceptionally proud of.
How you think MHFAiders can help our workforce's wellbeing
I would highly recommend the course to everyone as the more people who feel confident to reach out and support anyone struggling, the better. I think it’s a great way to continue to remove any stigma around mental health challenges too. The resources and support available from the MFHA England are excellent too. Having as many supportive and healthy conversations can only help to continue to improve our wellbeing and culture.
