Mental Health First Aid training for schools delivered by Clinical Psychologists.
🤝 Designed specifically for schools, educators, and support staff.
💻 Convenient, engaging online training — tailored to your school’s unique needs.
📝 Post-training workbook – practical tools and actionable plans for immediate use.
“Insightful, informative, and gave a greater understanding to feel more confident taking what I learned into practice.” – Training Delegate
Talk to our team to learn more about our Mental Health First Aid training for schools.
We’ve trained…
Why Mental Health First Aid Training Matters in Schools
Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 children and young people in the UK today. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and bereavement in school-age children, the need for confident, compassionate adults in the school environment has never been greater.
Our training equips teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral professionals and school staff with the skills to recognise signs of distress and provide immediate support – ensuring no child suffers alone or unnoticed.
“She was so passionate about her work… which made learning from her interesting.” – Training Delegate
Dr. Erin Hope Thompson MBE, Founder and Director of The Loss Foundation, leads the content creation and delivery of our School Mental Health First Aid Training.
As a Clinical Psychologist, she has extensive experience across the NHS, private, and third sectors. In 2022, Dr. Thompson was awarded an MBE for her services to bereaved families. Dr. Thompson ensures our training is grounded in clinical expertise and practical school realities.
Key Outcomes
What School Staff Gain From This Training:
- A deeper understanding of children’s mental health and grief.
- Confidence to support pupils in distress.
- Practical skills to signpost to specialist resources.
- Tools to foster a mentally healthy, supportive school environment.
What Our School Mental Health First Aid Training Covers
Mental Health First Aiders in schools play a vital role in reducing stigma and creating safe spaces where students feel seen and supported.
What Our Training Offers
Our comprehensive training focuses on practical tools and actionable strategies:
🔍 Recognise and Respond — Learn to identify mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief in children and adolescents.
💬 Effective Support – Develop skills to engage in compassionate, non-judgmental conversations.
🎯 Tailored Guidance – Training customised to your school’s needs and pupil demographics.
🩹 Grief First Aid – Special focus on supporting bereaved children and young people.
Flexible Training Options for Schools
Every school is unique, so we offer:
- Customisable Training – Tailored to your school’s size and schedule.
- Online interactive workshops designed to engage staff at all levels.
- Group sessions perfect for whole-school teams or specific departments.
“Erin’s knowledge and passion for this difficult topic shone through and her presentation was excellent and well-paced.” – Training Delegate
Ongoing Support After Training
Our commitment doesn’t end at the final session:
- A workbook packed with practical tools and action plans for immediate use.
- Ongoing access to mental health resources curated by our Clinical Psychologists.
- Strategies to integrate Mental Health First Aid into your school culture.
Ready to Equip Your School?
Get in touch today to learn more and book your Mental Health First Aid Training for Schools.
Start Your Mental Health First Aid Journey
Equip your team with the skills to make a difference. Begin by exploring our supporting pages to find the information that best suits your needs:
🎒 Why Mental Health First Aid Training for Schools is Vital?
🌟 What is Mental Health First Aid?
📚 Mental Health First Aid Courses: Find the Right Training
Training updates
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Our School Bereavement Training
Supporting grieving students is a critical part of mental health. We also offer specialised Bereavement Training for Schools — helping your staff confidently support pupils facing loss, creating compassionate school communities where grief is understood and cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mental Health First Aid Training for Schools
What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for schools?
Mental Health First Aid in schools is a training program designed to equip teachers, teaching assistants, and school staff with the skills to recognise, understand, and support children and young people experiencing mental health challenges or crises. It provides practical techniques to offer immediate help until professional support is available.
Who in a school setting can become a Mental Health First Aider?
Any school staff member can become a Mental Health First Aider — from teachers and teaching assistants to administrative and support staff. No prior mental health experience is needed, just a commitment to supporting students’ wellbeing.
What will I learn in the Mental Health First Aid course for schools?
You’ll learn to identify common mental health issues among children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and grief. The course covers how to have sensitive conversations, provide immediate support, and guide students and families toward appropriate professional help.
How is Mental Health First Aid different from counselling or therapy?
MHFA training is not counselling or therapy. Instead, it equips school staff with the skills to offer early support and signposting, helping students until they can access specialist mental health services.
Why is Mental Health First Aid important in schools?
With rising rates of mental health difficulties among young people, schools play a crucial role in early identification and support. MHFA training helps create a safe, compassionate environment where students feel understood and supported.
How often should Mental Health First Aid skills be refreshed?
It’s recommended that school staff refresh their MHFA skills every 3 years to stay up to date with the latest approaches and information.
Can this training help with supporting grieving students?
Yes. Our training includes modules on grief first aid, helping school staff recognise the signs of bereavement and support students navigating loss with empathy and care.
Is the training suitable for primary and secondary schools?
Absolutely. The course is tailored to address the needs and developmental stages of children and young people across primary and secondary education.
How is the training delivered?
We offer flexible formats including online interactive sessions and in-person workshops, designed to fit around school schedules and ensure maximum engagement.
How can schools access this training?
Contact us directly to discuss your school’s needs. We offer bespoke packages suitable for individual schools, multi-academy trusts, and local education authorities.