Mental health course attracts hundreds impacted by Covid

A mental health first aid course run by Midlands ' training group Performance Through People (PTP) has attracted hundreds of delegates, many whose workplaces have been impacted by Covid-19

PTP, part of the BCTG group, has been running the course since last spring and had 230 people attending the programme between March and December 2021.

Gill Durkin (pictured), business executive at PTP and president of the Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce, said the popularity of the course is continuing in 2022, with as many as 35 joining lessons last week alone

Mrs Durkin, who has attended the course herself, said: “There has been a huge uptake of the Mental Health First Aid course, which is delivered remotely on-line with tutor support throughout the programme.

“The training aims to raise delegates ' awareness of mental well-being in general and how to support others who may be experiencing mental ill health.

“It also aims to equip delegates with a range of practical ideas for making their working environment more mental health friendly.

“There has been a need for this training from people who have been home-working alone, or those suddenly coming back to work and having to face commuting, office hours and being with people in the office again.

“What we have found is that employers are a lot more sensitive to their staff 's mental health needs, showing more understanding that people can 't always cope straight away and that staggered return times have helped. ”

Delegates who successfully complete the course get a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace, a Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE) qualification accredited by the NCFE charity.

Find out more about taking this course with PTP.