A day to:

• Explore the particular mental health needs most commonly linked to children with an ASD
• Explore current research in this area, including more vulnerable groups of children
• Provide participants with resources and strategies to use with this group of students
• Inform staff how to signpost students/families to external support

Pupils will:

• have staff supporting them who can understand and support their mental health needs

Staff will:

• be confident to manage Mental Health needs in students with an ASD, and have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience and a range of strategies and resources to draw upon

Schools will:

• have skilled staff to support this group of students, and signpost to other agencies as appropriate

SENCOs/Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and other professionals supporting children with an ASD and mental health related needs

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a practical skills and awareness course that teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue.  MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis.

You will: 

• learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill-health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe
• learn how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery 
• gain an understanding of how to support positive wellbeing and tackle stigma in the world around you

This course is certified by MHFA England.

Practitioners will gain:

• a deeper understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect people’s wellbeing, including your own
• practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
• confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress
• enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to appropriate support

For those wanting to be a Mental Health First Aider within their workplace