Training our WTF team

Initiative purpose:

Training as a Mental Health First Aider equips our team with skills that will be invaluable in their own right as well as enabling us to achieve our charity goals.

Supported goals:

Work with local organisations and groups to improve attitudes towards mental health and to implement early intervention programs

Improve access to information and resources to support mental fitness

Be a visible, proactive, and positive presence in our communities

Train our trustees and volunteers as Mental Health First Aiders and equip them to be vital advocates for WTF

What are we doing:

On November 9th 2023, WTF volunteers completed their Mental Health First Aid Training.

WTF now has 10 Mental Health First Aiders. We hope to deliver this training again in 2024 so that as many of our volunteers are trained as possible.

More about our training

This two day course qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider, and provides you with:

An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
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.

It was delivered by Julia from Mental Health for England and explored topics ranging from depression and self harm to psychosis and suicide. The two day course was delivered sensitively and thoughtfully and Julia was mindful of our loss of Will, as well as the lived experience of some of our volunteers. It was hard going at times but really was worthwhile and helps us to understand the risk factors for mental health conditions that may affect young people and also helps us identify the protective factors that can help prevent mental ill health and challenges to emotional wellbeing.

For more information about the course contents, format, structure and takeaways see here.