There are three officially accredited mental health training frameworks in the UK: MHFA, i-act and NUCO.
These courses are based on building awareness and are not bespoke to the screen sector, or to managers.
When booking training that addresses mental health, it is important to ensure that the training provider has the necessary skills to deliver a safe and trusted course.
You should also consider upfront what follow-on support will be available after the course and what other training you will make available, to address all factors which contribute to poor mental health.
Mental health training is also available from Mind, including specific training for employers and managers, and through the NHS.
- What are the mental health training needs in your team? Have you carried out a Risk Assessment?
- Who is the training for, what are their responsibilities and who will they be interacting with? For example: managers, permanent staff, a team working on a particular production, someone with a particular need or is at high risk, HR, Heads of Department, remote workers etc.
- Have you carried out your legal obligations regarding safety at work? This includes both the physical and mental safety of your workers.
- Is your team in need of general or specific mental health training and/or do they require professional mental health support?
- Does the trainer have accreditation in mental health training?
- Does the trainer understand working practices in your industry? This may not be compulsory but experience in the industry may help trainers relate to the attendees’ practical needs.
- What communication channels are in place for individuals to feedback regarding the training or trainer and how will this information relate to training decisions in future?
- What provisions are in place to support your team after they have completed the training course? E.g. refresher sessions, allocating mental health beacons, setting up or signposting peer groups.
- How does the training fit within the individual’s ongoing development training plan?
- Who is responsible for training in your organisation?
- What can you offer that would promote good mental health, mitigate psychosocial risk factors and make your organisation a mentally healthy place to work, to benefit everyone?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a two-day interactive, practical course which educates someone to identify signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health issue and empowers them to take the appropriate action in any given situation.
Similar to physical First Aid, the aim of Mental Health First Aid is to teach someone to be an initial source of support if someone is showing signs of ill health in order to prevent the issue from becoming more serious before professional help is available. Mental Health First Aiders might be based in your office, studio or on a production, and might be listed, e.g. on a call sheet or office noticeboard.
Mental Health First Aid trainers must have completed the MHFA Instructor training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health. On completion of the course, the attendees are certified by MHFA England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to be a Mental Health First Aider for three years before a half day refresher is required.
The training covers:
- Spotting signs and symptoms of key mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and psychosis
- How to approach, listen to and respond to someone displaying signs of a mental health issue, including in crisis situations such as those experiencing panic attacks or thoughts of suicide
- How to empower someone to access the most appropriate support for them, whether professional or other
- Supporting yourself in supporting others
- Mental health and employment law
- Tackling stigma
Find out more about Mental Health First Aid in your area. Certification in the UK lies with the relevant MHFA bodies in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
i-act is a one day face-to-face or a half day online course that is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to manage and promote positive mental health and wellbeing. The accredited i-act course for managers is aimed at supporting their teams to improve wellbeing and helping them to support other team members who may experience a mental health or wellbeing issue.
The course is appropriate for Heads of Department or crew members to gain a greater understanding of how to manage mental health and wellbeing issues and help recognise when colleagues may need further help and support.
It includes practical tools and guidance on building resilience in yourself and others, how to connect with colleagues who may be experiencing a mental health issue, and what the legal requirements are regarding mental health and safety at work from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The training covers:
- What is mental health & wellbeing?
- Classification of mental health issues
- Substance misuse
- Anxiety, depression and suicide
- Stigma and discrimination
- Improving wellbeing and resilience
- Signposting self-help and professional help
- Mental health and the law
Find out more about i-act.
NUCO Training offers specialised and bespoke instructor training in safeguarding and mental health.
All NUCO qualified instructors hold a minimum Level 3 education and training qualification to ensure quality of delivery and the safety and inclusion of all learners.
NUCO instructors offer national qualifications in Mental Health Awareness (Level 1) and First Aid for Mental Health (Levels 2 and 3). The NUCO curriculum has flexibility allowing instructors to tailor courses for companies.
The training covers:
- What is first aid for mental health, including the impact of mental health issues on personal and professional lives and tackling mental health stigma in the workplace
- Identifying poor mental health
- Signposting and starting a conversation
- Understanding and coping with stress
- Mental health conditions including signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, suicide and self-harm
- Improving workplace culture
- Assessment
Find out more about NUCO Training.
Fully qualified and accredited mental health professionals will abide by an ethical code of practice and have regular supervision with an experienced mental health practitioner to ensure their standards of care remain high. Professionals include counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists.
The following organisations have lists of approved practitioners:
- British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), phone 0330 320 0851
- British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), phone 01455 883300
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC), phone 020 7561 9240
- UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), phone 020 7014 9955
- British Psychological Society (BPS), phone 0116 254 9568