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Become a Mental Health First Aider
UCL has 450 Mental Health First Aiders, all trained to recognise those that may be experiencing poor mental health and provide them with first-level support and early intervention.
“I found it really great - good mix of activities and information (activities didn't feel forced like with some other training!)”
“I learnt a lot and it was very interesting to see how prevalent these mental health issues are in everyday life.”
“Extremely informative and interesting course that will make a difference to me personally and the department.”
About the courses
Become a certified mental health first aider and learn to:
- 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
- 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
- Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®
- Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England
Format
- In person
- Two-day course
- Learning takes place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities
- Each session is built around a Mental Health First Aid action plan
- 15 people per course
After completing the course
- Receive certification to say you are a Mental Health First Aider
- Receive a manual and workbook
- 3 years’ access to MHFAider support
- You will be added to the Being Well at UCL newsletter
- You will be added to the MHFA network contact list for employees to contact you if they need support (opt out option available).
You will need to complete a refresher course every 3 years to keep your certification up to date.
What happens after I have completed my training?
Once you have completed your training, CAST: Learning Solutions will email Workplace Health and notify us that you attended and completed the training. We will then add you to the MHFA directory so that staff know who they can contact should they experience poor mental health and need to speak to someone.
Workplace Health will add you to a database of trained staff and send you a reminder when you are due to complete your refresher training.
We will also add you to our mailing list to help keep you up to date about initiatives and resources at UCL that support the mental health and wellbeing of staff.
How to book and finance training
You can book onto a course via Eventbrite. Training is delivered by CAST: Learning Solutions, UCL’s preferred supplier. You should only book courses through this supplier, they are registered on the UCL finance system.
Departments are responsible for financing Mental Health First Aid training for staff.
Book onto one of the following training dates:
2025
- 29th and 30th January
- 10th and 11th March
- 9th and 10th April
- 21st and 22nd May
- 8th and 9th July
- 9th and 10th September
- 20th and 21st October
- 19th and 20th November
Refresher training
Your MHFA certification needs refreshing every three years. This is a requirement from MHFA England for your certification to remain up to date and valid.
You can book onto a refresher training course via Eventbrite. Training is delivered by Cast Learning Solutions, UCL’s preferred supplier. You should only book courses through this supplier, they are registered on the UCL finance system.
Departments are responsible for financing Mental Health First Aid training for staff.
2025
Our trainer
Katie Marlow
With long career in mental health services, Katie set up C.A.S.T in 2015. She became a National Trainer for MHFA England in 2016, an ASIST & safeTALK Instructor and a freelance training associate with several well-known charities.
Katie works nationally across a wide range of topics including Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding Children, Child Sexual Exploitation, Human Trafficking, Safeguarding Adults & Suicide Prevention/ Intervention.