Following our highly successful February cohort, Oyster Outcomes have now trained close to 100 people to become MHFAiders. Hearing their feedback shows how important it is to invest in learning about mental health and well-being.
Hear from two of the delegates who attended this course:
Ellie Highwood, MHFAider certified – February 2022.
“I thought I’d write today about the Mental Health First Aid training that I’ve been attending over the past 2 weeks. Organised by Oyster Outcomes Ltd and delivered by Andy Elwood it’s been 4 online live sessions and a lot of learning activities to complete between sessions. I’ve learnt about ALGEE – the reminder pneumonic for mental health first aid and how to apply it in different circumstances. Some of the skills and techniques such as active listening are familiar from my coaching training, but they are applied here in very specific contexts and circumstances.
The things that will stay with me are:
1. The importance of asking direct questions when in a crisis
2. The importance of reassuring that these events/feelings are common (when that’s appropriate to do so), that the person is not alone, and that help does exist – we just need to find the right support for them.
3. Avoid the temptation to diagnose the underlying issue – as a Mental Health First Aider, my role is to support the individual with the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are happening now, until an appropriate professional can be involved. That is true whether there is an immediate crisis, or whether we are in a situation that may develop into one.
Number 3 has echoes of coaching training – it isn’t necessary for me as a coach to understand how or why something is happening, but to support in dealing with it and moving forward.
Mental Health First Aid training is an investment in me, in my coaching business and in society as mental health and wellbeing become increasingly important. In all honest, I hope I don’t have to use the specialist knowledge very often, but I now feel more confident that I’ll be being useful if and when I do have to.”
Sinead Gale, MHFAider certified, February 2022.
“Last week I successfully completed my Mental Health First Aider training with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England and Oyster Outcomes Ltd – a big thanks to the outstanding facilitation and support of Andy Elwood who guided us with care through the learning.
This is training that I’ve been wanting (and planning!) to do for some time but other ‘stuff’ kept getting in the way however the time had come to prioritise this and I am so glad I did. Let’s be clear the subject matter is at times tough and the statistics frighteningly eye opening but the focus and priority we all put on not just our own mental health and well-being but that of our friends, family, colleagues, all other human beings has never been so important.
If you are in any doubt over the importance, consider this ….
💭 1 in 4 people experience mental health issues each year
💭 At any given time, 1 in 6 working-age adults have symptoms associated with mental ill health
💭 792 million people are affected by mental health issues worldwide
💭 Among the general population 20.6% of people have had suicidal thoughts at some time
If you are thinking of doing this training then stop thinking – do it! I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough ⭐️”
If you or your organisation are looking to up skill in this highly important certification please register your interest here
Mental health and well-being training Registration Form
Or email hello@oysteroutcomes.co.uk to find out more.