We’re supporting young professional charity workers with free online Mental Health First Aid training courses

Funded by the Z Zurich Foundation, our free courses will be offered to 60 people from 30 charities, teaching them how to look after the mental health of their colleagues. After participants have successfully completed their learning, they’ll be given access to our Altruist Wellbeing Forum so that they can continue with their learning.

The benefits of free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training

MHFAiders® are often the bedrock of a successful employee mental health and wellbeing strategy. As a first point of contact, they can create a foundation for delivering mental health support throughout your organisation.

Those who receive training will:

• be certified as a MHFAider®
• learn self-care to look after their own mental health and wellbeing
• be able to spot the signs of potential mental ill-health amongst colleagues
• know how to confidentially start conversations around mental health
• direct colleagues to appropriate support
• have access to mental health and wellbeing resources, online events and other MHFAider support tools for two years

Learn about the full benefits, including full course details: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.

Charity workers are in urgent need of support

The charity sector faces unique pressures. Often operating with limited funds and resources, they have been hit particularly hard by rising costs and a turbulent economy. A study from Unite the Union found that 69% of charity and not-for-profit workers experienced anxiety, often brought on by long hours. A joint survey from YouGov and Ecclesiastical Insurance found that seven out of ten charity leaders were more concerned about employee burnout than they had been 12 months prior.

Why have free training for young professionals?

It's a difficult time for young professionals.

We know from the government’s Skills England report that employer investment in training has been in steady decline over the past decade, and it seems to be young people who are missing out the most.

The Learning and Work Institute reported that young people have seen the sharpest declines in training participation. Not only does a lack of investment in their future hurt their professional development and employability, but it can also have a knock-on effect on their future wellbeing. Training of any sort helps to build interpersonal skills and resilience and can have a profoundly positive effect on a person’s overall sense of wellbeing and happiness.

According to research from Time To Act: Mental Health in Early Careers by MindForward Alliance UK, younger workers are disproportionately affected by workplace stress and the pressures that come as a natural part of early career development.

Their research reveals that:

• 72% have experienced poor mental health in the last year
• 17% have had suicidal thoughts and one in 50 has attempted suicide
• Only 27% feel comfortable seeking support through work
• 84% think it is important to develop mental health awareness skills at work so that they can support a colleague in need
• 74% said the sense of purpose and achievement from work has a positive impact on mental health

How free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training will help young professionals

Those who join our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training will learn valuable life skills, benefitting themselves as well as our wider society, such as:

• How to support colleagues: MHFAiders® are taught to be able to identify signs of distress and provide timely support, creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
• Employability skills: In-demand soft skills are developed on the course, like emotional intelligence and mental health awareness.
• Self-awareness: Participants will gain insight into managing their personal wellbeing, building resilience, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Communication skills: Learners will develop non-judgmental listening and empathy, helping them to create better connections with their colleagues, and even their loved ones.
• How to reduce stigma around mental health: Learners will act as advocates and agents of change for mental health awareness, promoting openness and acceptance within their organisations and communities.

You can find more about our free Mental Health First Aid training courses, including all the details around the eligibility criteria, and how to book, on our Fully Funded MHFA for Charities page. 

Please note that this programme has now ended. See below for feedback and impact on our Mental Health First Aid training for charities.

Feedback Statistics

• 100% of charity workers reported increased confidence in supporting someone experiencing a mental health issue.
• 98% of charity workers reported improved knowledge of mental health and how to support someone experiencing a mental health issue.
• 95% of charity workers rated our instructors as “Very Good”, with the remaining 5% rating them as “Good.”
• 95% of charity workers said they would highly recommend our MHFA course to others.*

Sample size: Feedback collected from 44 charity workers who completed our Mental Health First Aid training for charities.
*Highly recommend = rating of 8, 9, or 10 out of 10.

Testimonials