Mental Health Courses

Course Schedule 2025

Explore our upcoming calendar of courses designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in mental health. For detailed information on each course and to make a booking, simply scroll down. If you don’t find the course you’re interested in, consider joining our mailing list to stay updated on new dates and additional offerings. All prices displayed below are inclusive of VAT.

Which course is right for you?

  • Adult Mental Health First Aid Course

    The Adult Mental Health First Aid England course teaches participants to support individuals with mental health challenges. Open to those over 16, it covers recognizing signs, engaging in support, and directing individuals to professional help. Through informative sessions and practical scenarios, learners build confidence in providing aid. Completing the course enhances understanding of mental health and promotes a supportive community.

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Course

    The Youth Mental Health Course from Mental Health First Aid England equips individuals to support young people with mental health issues. It covers mental health development, common conditions, and communication strategies. Participants learn to recognize distress signs, provide initial support, and guide youth to professional help. With a focus on practical skills and real-life scenarios, the course empowers attendees to foster resilience and understanding in their communities.

  • Adult Half Day Mental Health Awareness Course

    Mental Health First Aid England's adult half-day course equips participants with essential skills to support those facing mental health challenges. It covers recognising signs, offering initial help, and directing individuals to professional support. Through discussions and practical scenarios, attendees deepen their understanding of mental wellness, reduce stigma, and promote support in workplaces and communities.

  • Youth Half Day Mental Health Awareness

    The Mental Health First Aid England half-day course teaches vital skills to support those with mental health issues. It covers signs and symptoms of common challenges, promotes understanding, and reduces stigma. Practical strategies like active listening and encouraging professional help are emphasized, helping participants confidently respond to mental health crises and foster support in workplaces or communities.

  • Adult Mental Health First Aid Refresher

    The Mental Health First Aid England Adult Refresher Course is for those who have completed the full training and want to update their skills. It reinforces information, introduces new mental health insights, and enhances practical support skills. Participants take part in discussions, case studies, and role-playing to understand mental health better. Completing the refresher equips attendees to provide effective support and promote positive mental health in their communities and workplaces.

  • Mental Health Skills for Managers

    The Mental Health First Aid England's course for managers equips them to support team mental well-being. It covers recognizing mental health signs, communicating effectively, and creating a supportive environment. Participants will gain skills to promote mental health, respond to crises, and foster a positive workplace culture. By course end, managers will be prepared to address mental health concerns proactively and compassionately.

Frequently asked questions…

  • Mental Health First Aid is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. 

    Our MHFA  course won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening. 

    You’ll learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe. 

    You’ll also learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of symptoms. This could include self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more. 

    What’s more, you’ll gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around you. 

  • Attending a training course can be highly beneficial as it equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to recognise the signs of mental health issues and support those in distress.

    Participants learn how to approach sensitive conversations and offer appropriate assistance, which is invaluable in fostering a supportive environment in both personal and professional contexts.

    Courses not only enhance individual confidence in dealing with mental health crises but also helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. By creating a more informed and empathetic community, mental health training ultimately contributes to better overall well-being for all.

  • Prices vary depending on the course you attend but Applause for thought facilitate accredited MHFA England Mental Health Training at up to a 40% discount. With this, we hope to make these vital courses more accessible and affordable.

    Individual booking costs can be found by clicking on the relevant course.

    For group bookings please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk

  • Yes, you must be in attendance for all sessions in order to qualify at the end of any course.

  • Yes, if you are interested in booking a course for a group, team or your organisation, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk

  • We are able to provide a limited number of subsidised places on our courses for those who may be in need of further financial support. For more information, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk with the subject ‘Scholarships’.

  • Your safety and wellbeing are our priority.

    On the booking form there is an opportunity for you to tell us if there is anything you are concerned about or you can email us directly at info@applauseforthought.co.uk

  • Yes, all our public courses are delivered online via zoom.

Ready to book?

Select a course below to view and book the latest dates and times available.

Looking to make a group booking?

If you are interested in booking a course for a group, team, or organisation, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk.

  • "One of the best courses I have done in the last few years."

    Adam, Stage Manager (Adult Mental Health First Aid Course)

  • "Thank you so much for the course, I don't even have the words to express how much I learned in such a safe space!"

    Manon, Dance Student (Adult Mental Health First Aid Course)

  • "It's a brilliant course, expertly delivered by lovely Kate. It has been such an insightful and useful journey and I couldn't have asked for a better two weeks, I genuinely can's thank you enough."

    Minal, Actor (Adult Mental Health First Aid Course)

  • "Even when dealing with really difficult topics everything was handled with care and sensitivity. I really enjoyed learning with you."

    Gemma, Director (Youth Mental Health Fist Aid Course)

  • "After taking this course I feel empowered to spread further awareness about mental health and the needs for our performing arts industry and the wider community, as well as to my friends and family."

    Jasmine, Dancer (Adult Mental Health First Aid Course)

  • "I'm grateful to AFT, Kate Baum and MHFAE for giving me the tools to be able to support both my own and other's mental health. It's immediately apparent how I can apply my knowledge almost daily in my personal and professional settings and it will serve me well as an individual and part of a team."

    Rebecca, Actor (Adult Mental Health First Aid Course)

More details on course content….

  • What will I learn as I train as a MHFAider?

    • Recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention

    • Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports

    • Practise active listening and empathy

    • How to have a conversation with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma

    • Discuss the MHFAider role in depth, including boundaries and confidentiality

    • Practise self-care

    How to use the MHFAider Support App

    How to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England

    The course also includes materials to support you in your learning, and a certificate of completion that will be emailed to you and will be valid for three years

    How is this course taught?

    The course is taught online over Zoom in 4 compulsory live sessions across 2 weeks

    There are 14 hours of live sessions in total

    It is taught by one of our qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

    With a maximum of 16 people per course.

    The session timings are as follows:

    • Session 1: 3 hours and 20 minutes

    • Session 2: 3 hours and 45 minutes

    • Session 3: 3 hours and 45 minutes

    • Session 4: 3 hours

    Please note: You must attend all four live sessions to receive your qualification and certificate.

    How much does it cost?

    The AFT price is £195 + VAT per person (Mental Health First Aid England RRP is £325 per person)

    If you are interested in booking a course for a group, team or organisation, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk.

  • The MHFA Refresher course is designed to empower Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders®) to renew their qualification, maintain their skills and refresh the training they completed 3 years ago.

    The four-hour online MHFA Refresher course will support your MHFAiders® by:

    • Renewing their qualification and skills

    • Updating their knowledge of mental health supports

    • Giving them the chance to practice applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan

    • Providing them access to three years of MHFAider® support and benefits

    It is important for MHFAiders® to refresh skills, the same way physical first aiders do, it’s also a great way to demonstrate your commitment to treating mental health and physical health equally.

    Investing in the course will keep you feeling motivated, empowered and confident to continue carrying out your role as a MHFAider®.

    How is the course taught?

    The course is delivered online via Zoom

    As with the Mental Health First Aid course, learning will take place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities

    The capacity is limited to 16 people per course so that your instructor can keep people safe and supported while they learn

    It is taught by one of our qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

    How much does it cost?

    the AFT cost is £90 +VAT (course value is £150 +VAT)

    If you are interested in booking a private course for a large group, team or your organisation, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk.

  • The Youth MHFA course is for anyone who works with, lives with, or supports young people aged 8–18.  It covers:

    • 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

    • 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

    • It also includes materials that will be sent to you, and a certificate of completion that will be emailed to you and will be valid for three years

    How is this course taught?

    • The course is taught online over Zoom in 4 compulsory live sessions across 2 weeks

    • The course is made up of four sessions. Each session is 3.5 hours long.

    • It is taught by one of our qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

    • With a maximum of 16 people per course

    Please note: You must attend all four live sessions to receive your qualification and certificate

    How much does it cost?

    • the AFT price is £195 + VAT per person (standard course value is £350 per person)

  • This course raises awareness of mental health. It covers:

    • What mental health is and how to challenge stigma

    • A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues

    • An introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing

    • Confidence to support someone in distress or who may be experiencing a mental health issue

    • It also includes materials that will be sent to you, and a certificate of completion that will be emailed to you and will be valid for three years

    How is the course taught?

    • The course is taught online over Zoom

    • The course is approx 4 hours long

    • It is taught by one of our qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

    • With a maximum of 25 people per course

    Please note: You must attend the entirety of the live session to receive your certificate

    How much does it cost?

    • AFT price £75 + VAT per person (standard course value is £125 per person)

  • This course is designed for those working/living with/teaching/supporting those aged 8-18 years old. It covers:

    • Some of the common mental health issues affecting young people, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis

    • Skills to work more effectively with young people living with mental health issues

    • Ways to support young people with a mental health issue and relate to their experiences

    • It also includes materials that will be sent to you, and a certificate of completion that will be emailed to you and will be valid for three years

    How is the course taught?

    • The course is taught online over Zoom

    • The course is approx 3 hours long

    • It is taught by one of our qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

    • With a maximum of 25 people per course

    Please note: You must attend the entirety of the live session to receive your certificate

    How much does it cost?

    • the AFT price £75 + VAT per person (course value is £125 per person)

  • This evidence-based, four-hour training promotes a healthy performance culture. It gives managers the skills and confidence to have conversations about mental health and encourage staff to seek early support. This course aims to:

    • Encourage your people to thrive Increase talent retention

    • Reduce the impact of presenteeism and long-term sickness absence.

    You will learn how to:

    • Feel confident having open conversations about mental health with their team members.

    • Identify if an employee may be experiencing poor mental health.

    • Appropriately signpost to available support

    • Role model good self-care practice and know where to go for support and guidance for themselves.

    This course is taught by mental health expert Kate Baum online over Zoom in a 4 hour session. The max capacity of participants is 16.

    Please note: You must attend all four live sessions to receive your qualification and certificate.

    Please note we are unable to offer an AFT discount for this course - this cost is set by MHFA England. The price for our public course is £125 + VAT per person.

If you are unable to find a course date or time that suits your schedule, please fill out the form below. Rest assured, we will not share your personal details with any third parties. We will only contact you via email if your desired course becomes available. Your privacy is important to us, and we appreciate your interest in our courses.

 
 

  • Kate graduated with a Psychology degree and has over 30 years in education, including roles as a numeracy consultant and head of a school recognised as 'outstanding' by OFSTED. In 2017, she became a founding Trustee of the mental health charity 'Invincible Me' and developed her consultancy while training as a Mental Health First Aid trainer. She also co-founded Apples and Honey Nightingale, the UK's first nursery at a care home. During the pandemic, she volunteered with the SHOUT crisis helpline.

    Since 2019, Kate has led numerous mental health awareness courses for AFT and is collaborating with them on schemes for top UK theatre companies. In 2022 Kate won the Industry Minds award for her contribution to mental health care and education in the arts.

    Kate is available to deliver the adult and youth mental health first aid course, adult and youth mental health refresher course, adult and youth half day awareness course and the mental health skills for managers course.

 

Meet your instructors…

Mental Health First Aid England instructors teach skills to support those facing mental health challenges. They conduct structured courses covering signs of mental health issues, initial support, and guidance to professional help. By fostering a safe learning environment, instructors encourage discussions, role-playing, and practical tools to handle mental health crises. They empower individuals with knowledge and confidence, promoting mental wellbeing and resilience in communities and workplaces.

 

  • I trained as MHFAider myself in 2019 (with Kate leading the course!) right at the very start of my journey setting up Applause for thought. I knew then, that down the line I wanted to further my education and training in relation to mental health.

    In late 2023 that time came and I trained as an Instructor with MHFAEngland and qualified with the highest proficiency grade in July 2024.

    I have come to realise, as the daughter of two school teachers, and a retired actor/creative, that group facilitation and being in a learning environment is a huge passion of mine.

    It has been a joy to align my multiple passions of facilitation, education, mental health and the arts when working as an Instructor and feels it has only bolstered my skills and experience as CEO too.

    Raff is available to deliver the adult mental health first aid course only.