SWLSTG announces new dates for free Mental Health First Aid training
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has today announced additional free mental health training slots for local residents. Funded by NHS Charities Together in partnership with Mental Health First Aid England, the latest dates build on the successful initial launch in which 61 residents were trained.
Designed to break mental health stigma, raise mental health awareness and improve mental health literacy, the overall programme will provide over 400 places across around 20 mental health first aid courses.
Trust Chief Executive, Vanessa Ford, said: “We are delighted to be working with NHS Charities Together and national provider Mental Health First Aid England to launch this innovative training programme for our communities. It is only as a whole community that we will really address mental health and wellbeing and reduce stigma and as a modern mental health Trust we see our role as so much more than providing our core services. This programme will play an important part in breaking down barriers and empowering residents to support their own and others’ wellbeing.
The courses will take place both online and at Springfield Hospital and will provide an understanding of common mental health issues, skills and information to support positive wellbeing, and knowledge and confidence to spot signs and symptoms of mental ill health on a first-aid basis.
The initiative follows the development of Springfield Hospital’s two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities, which now sit prominently at the centre of a growing new community called Springfield Village. The village is made up of over 800 new homes, a public square, retail outlets and a 32-acre park.
One attendee said:
Having just moved to the area, I am aware that I am likely to encounter vulnerable people and feel it’s important to learn more about mental health and ways to get support. This course has taught me to recognise mental ill health and help people find the support they need.
The next day courses will take place at Springfield University Hospital on Thursday 21 March and Monday 8 April 2024, and qualifies delegates as Mental Health First Aid Champions. The course provides attendees with an understanding of common mental health issues, skills and information to support positive wellbeing, and knowledge and confidence to spot signs and symptoms and of mental ill health on a first-aid basis.
Click here to register your interest today in the March or April courses – and to be added to our database to be alerted to future training dates throughout 2024.
Read Sarah’s story – a south west London resident who attended the training in January.