David Smith - MHFA Instructor

It’s mental health awareness week, but we should be talking about our mental health every week. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health but many of us are not comfortable talking about it.

Why are we more comfortable telling our boss we can’t get off the toilet, than the fact we are struggling today and can’t face the outside world?

Often it’s the stigma, we fear we will be branded and defined by our mental health. We need to break this stigma.

Today why don’t you check in on someone you care about? Share your own story in a way your comfortable with? Or reach out for help if you are struggling?

If your looking for a great program to help you understand the impact of anxiety on many new mothers, Channel 4 has recently released this documentary exploring why so many new mothers struggle with anxiety.

Seen 'Dani Dyer: Is This Anxiety?'? Watch it here on Channel 4:

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dani-dyer-is-this-anxiety?cntsrc=social_share_ios_dani_dyer_is_this_anxiety

You wouldn’t buy car insurance after an accident, so why is your mental health or that of your colleagues or employees not a priority.

The evidence is clear cut, 1/4 of us will experience poor mental health and we loose over 17 million working days a year due to mental ill health.

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence based training programme to allow individuals to increase their mental health literacy and provide practical ways to support your own and others mental health.

Speak to me today to enquire about how we can develop a strategy for your business or organisation to create a network of mental health first aiders and start a positive organisational change.

We will be launching a range of courses open for the public to allow individuals to join for their own development outside of our private courses we offer to organisations.

Whether your a fan of the royal family or not. Enjoy today, if you can take time to connect with friends and family. Take some time to yourself and most of all make the most of the day.

Feed off of the energy and excitement around and remember taking time for yourself is not a selfish act.

Happy Coronation weekend to all!

In 10 days we’ll have Mental Health Awareness Week for 2023. The theme this year is around anxiety.

We all feel anxious, but it’s important we recognize when it goes beyond our normal fight or flight, and becomes a serious mental health problem. Severe anxiety can be as disabling as any disability impacting individuals ability to go about their normal activities.

Developing an understanding of the signs, symptoms and treatment options is a key component of MHFA, along with an understanding of considerations for when we are supporting an individual experiencing anxiety.

With the weekend here, we often try to cram a lot of the tasks we didn’t get done during the week. Remember to take some time for your own self care, it’s not selfish and will make sure you are refreshed and able to support those around you. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Why not try the MHFA whole self MOT to help you consider how you really feel today and what steps you can take towards more positive wellbeing this weekend.

Continue your learning journey as an MHFAider® with a qualification in Mental Health First Aid.

Our internationally recognised RSPH Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid will give you a chance to demonstrate your commitment to the role and test your knowledge as an MHFAider® with an eAssessment.

Our Mental Health First Aid qualification is the only one of its kind to be endorsed and supported by the world’s oldest public health body, Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).

Some excellent feedback from my recent run of courses:

"David was really informative and he really shows a passion for mental health. He was very open to challenges to certain points made by attendees and took them in his stride. Overall very well led."

"Extremely informative and interesting course. Plenty of opportunity for discussion and case study work. Great to have more skills in the toolbox and feel better equip to support others. The accompanying work book and online resources are a helpful reference. Well delivered - not easy on a Teams/Zoom format but kept interesting and engaging. Thank you!"

It is always a pleasure to deliver this course to such engaged delegates, who are passionate about improving mental health support and literacy.

Please get in touch if you or your organisation is interested in either Full Mental Health First Aid training or 1/2 Day Refresher training.