These courses are designed to provide participants with emotional literacy, awareness and skills that will better equip them to support their own and others’ wellbeing and mental health. Open to anyone and any workplace, from in-office to social care, education, or volunteer groups.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness workshop– ½ day   

This half-day course goes into more detail on how we experience mental health:  from feeling well, to being overly stressed to experiencing mental health issues that can impact a person’s day-to-day life. There will be a specific focus on recognising the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and low mood, along with information about supportive interventions and services.

Key learning objectives: 

By the end of the course participants will have had opportunities to: 

• Explore current attitudes and responses to mental health and well-being and their implications in practice.
• Consider the range of factors involved in emotional health experiences and the basics to maintaining wellbeing.
• Develop understanding of, and responses to, the common mental health difficulties of stress, anxiety and depression.   
• Gain some basic practical guidance for supporting someone who is struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
• Learn how to talk to someone who may be struggling to recognise changes in their wellbeing or stress levels and how this may be impacting them.
• Clarify and signpost to a range of services and support available.

Building Resilience in the Workplace – ½ day course

Increasingly, employers are recognising the importance of developing resilience in response to personal and workplace demands. This course is rooted in the current evidence showing participants how to develop their personal resilience, allowing them to get the most from work and life.

There will be opportunities to explore what personal resilience is and practical information on how to develop resilience within your workforce. Each participant will leave informed and with a personal resilience action plan to support them in their ongoing development.

Key learning objectives: 

By the end of the course participants will have had opportunities to: 

• Consider what personal resilience means in practice, and in your workplace setting.
• Gain information about evidenced-based factors that can aid resilience and how they can be put into practice.
• Gain information about resources to support resilience within the workplace and beyond.
• Develop a personal plan to support resilience in difficult times. 
• To learn about factors to consider when having conversations about wellbeing with colleagues. 

Managers course: Responding to Mental Health Issues in the Workplace – ½ day

This half day course aims to provide managers with information and guidance on responding to emotional and/or mental health issues of staff that can arise in the workplace. Through guidance, discussion and small group exercises participants will feel confident in understanding and managing mental health issues in line with policies and best practice.

Key learning objectives:

• Develop awareness of emotional and mental health issues as they may present in the workplace based on common workplace experiences.
• Provide some practical tips and guidance for responding to emotional and mental health issues, including in crisis situations.
• Link with relevant workplace policy and procedure, and further training available.

Active listening skills – ½ day course

This half-day course will introduce participants to the concepts of active listening, setting boundaries, and understanding their relevance in the workplace and everyday life. Through a combination of teaching, demonstrations and group practice, participants will learn how to use active listening skills in different areas of their work and lives.

Key learning objectives:

• Understand and practice the three core listening skills: restatement, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Recognise and apply different types of reflection – content, feelings, and process – in client conversations.
• Demonstrate active listening through role-play and explore themes behind challenging client behaviours.
• Learn practical strategies for setting and maintaining boundaries while remaining calm, fair, and respectful.
• Apply listening and boundary skills in real-life scenarios through paired practice and group feedback.

Active listening skills – 2 day course

This 2‑day course develops participants’ active listening skills with a focus on supporting clients. Participants will deepen their understanding of core skills, boundaries and emotional support, and their relevance in the workplace and everyday interactions. Through teaching, demonstrations and group practice, they will gain experience in applying active listening to client‑facing scenarios and build confidence in supporting a range of clients emotionally and practically in both individual and group settings. Participants will also be provided with a range of handouts to support them in their future practice.

Key learning objectives:

• Develop and practice strong active listening and emotional support skills, including core reflection skills and differentiating between advice‑giving and emotional attunement,
• Practice applying these skills in a safe, supportive environment, progressing toward effective client‑facing interactions.
• Understand the impact of diversity—including intercultural communication, gender, neurodiversity and power dynamics—and apply inclusive approaches in client support.
• Learn basic group facilitation techniques, how to adapt communication to clients’ needs and recognise warning signs for trauma, knowing when onward referral is needed

Build self‑awareness, learn strategies for grounding and self‑care, how to maintain healthy boundaries and manage risks, and how to support clients’ emotional wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe

Working with Trauma – 1-hour talk

This 1-hour talk is designed to give participants a better understanding of what trauma is and how to support those who have experienced it. Participants will become equipped with skills to recognise signs and help those with trauma, as well as explore how to protect their own wellbeing. This talk can be tailored to specific groups e.g. for organisations working with sanctuary seekers, or adverse childhood experiences.

Key learning objectives

• Learn what trauma is and what causes it.
• Recognise what causes trauma in different contexts and what we need to think about in terms of presentation, engagement and support. (optional tailored sections for specific client groups eg children / refugees)
• Recognise the signs of possible traumatic experiences in others.
• Learn how to support people how have experienced trauma; the ‘do’s and don’ts’.
• Learn and practice grounding techniques for your own self-care and to help clients feel calm and safe

Trans + Gender Diversity Awareness – 3-hour workshop

This 3-hour course aims to develop participants’ knowledge of gender diversity and grow awareness of people’s experiences of being Trans. Delivered through a combination of information, quizzes, games and group discussion, this workshop is an exciting and interactive way to explore gender diversity and what people can do to support those that are gender diverse.

Key learning objectives:

• Understand what Trans is and what different labels mean.
• Explore real-life stories to develop a greater understanding of what trans people experience in terms of discrimination and mental health.
• Explore the effect of legislation on Trans people’s rights.
• Explore historical and cultural contexts of gender diversity.
• Understand what individuals can do to support LGBTQ+ people or ‘be allies’.

Understanding and Responding to Self-Harm – 1 day course

This course aims to develop participants’ understanding of self-harm / self-injury as a spectrum of behaviours, the reasons why someone may use self-injury and the challenges for support.

Drawing on the views of people who self-harm and up to date evidenced-based guidance, participants will gain information about the needs of people who self-injure. They will also be guided through helpful responses and consider self-help strategies that can enable someone to improve their emotional wellbeing.

Key learning objectives:

• Understand consider self-harm / self-injury as a spectrum of behaviours

• Explore challenges for staff when providing support
• Understand the reasons why someone may use self-injury
• Explore ways of supporting someone who self-injures

Mental Health First Aid accredited courses

Mental Health First Aid Aware – ½ day course

This short course is ideal for individuals wanting a brief introduction to mental health and how to support others at work or in the community. Participants will gain general awareness of common mental health issues and learn how to spot someone who is struggling with their mental health and support their own.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Introduction to mental health and challenging stigma
• Develop a basic knowledge of some common mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression.
• Learn Practical strategies for looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing
• Gain confidence to support someone in distress and how to signpost them to further support

Mental Health First Aider – 2 day course

This 2-day course will allow participants to develop an understanding and confidence to respond to people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. Participants will learn how to support people in distress and identify resources to promote mental health and wellbeing. This interactive course also gives opportunities for role-play and discussion. Upon completion, participants will be certified as a Mental Health First Aider and receive a manual and toolkit to refer to when supporting others.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand common mental health issues  
• Spot signs of mental ill health including anxiety and depression
• Be able to discuss mental health with colleagues in an open and supportive way 
• Develop practical skills to support someone in crisis or distress
• Establish good self-care and peer support for MH First Aiders

MHFA skills for managers – ½ day course

This MHFA accredited course is ideal for people managers who want to help create an open culture around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, increasing talent retention and reducing the impact of presenteeism and long-term sickness. Promote a healthy performance culture, by role modelling good self-care practice; and gain skills and confidence to identify signs of poor mental health, have conversations about mental health and encourage people to seek support.

Key learning objectives:

• Identify if an employee may be experiencing poor mental health
• Feel confident having open conversations about mental health with your team members
• Appropriately signpost to available support and know where to go for support and guidance for yourself
• Role model good self-care practice, inspiring your teams to look after their own mental health and wellbeing

Mental Health First Aid Champion– 1 day course

This one-day course follows on from Mental Health First Aid training and supports you to become a Mental Health First Aid Champion, giving you additional skills in the workplace.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of a MHFA at work and how to have real impact
• Develop knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness across your organisation
• Learn skills to promote and support positive workplace wellbeing
• Explore ideas for activities, equity councils and campaigns which promote a healthy and inclusive workplace culture

Outcome:

Participants will be certified Mental Health Champions with opportunities to influence best practice within their workplace. Further support and networking is available via Bristol Mind.

Mental Health First Aid Youth – 2 day course

This 2 day course is about the help that can be given to a young person experiencing a mental health problem including in crisis situations before professional help is obtained. Aimed at anyone who supports children or young people, they will develop skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues, listen and reassure, and guide young people towards the support they need.

Participants will leave with information and tools to enable them to provide basic support to a young person, know how to respond in a crisis, look after their own mental health and create a mentally healthy, supportive environment in their family, school, peer group, community or workplace. In addition, that will gain access to a comprehensive digital handbook and other resources to support them in the role.

Key learning objectives:

• Gain an in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing
• Explore practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues
• Develop confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress
• Enhance interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
• Gain knowledge to help a young person recover their health by guiding them to further support
• Improve their ability to support a young person with a long-term mental health issue or disability to thrive
• Identify tools to look after your own mental wellbeing

Suicide Awareness and Prevention courses

These courses are delivered by Maggie, an independent trainer specialising in suicide prevention, intervention, and listening skills. With over 12 years’ experience volunteering with Samaritans and the SHOUT Crisis Texting Service, she has held several senior roles and is a certified ‘Master Trainer’ in ASIST, safeTALK, and Suicide First Aid. Maggie’s dedication to this work was recognised in 2020, when she was awarded an MBE for her contributions to suicide prevention.

Suicide First Aid (lite) – ½ day course

This half-day course is designed to build participants’ awareness and confidence in suicide prevention. Delivered over three hours, it introduces practical suicide intervention skills suitable for both personal and professional settings. Participants will leave with increased confidence and reduced anxiety in supporting those at risk. A certificate of completion is also provided.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand the causes and impact of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
• Explore stigma, bereavement, and the ripple effect of suicide.
• Learn how to recognize and ask about suicide safely.
• Gain guidance on referring individuals to suicide first aiders

Suicide First Aid – 1-day course

This one-day course is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical skills in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. The programme is delivered in person to small groups and explores the emotional, social, and psychological dimensions of suicide. Participants will leave feeling better prepared to support individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Examine attitudes and values around suicide.
• Understand stigma, bereavement by suicide, and the Hidden Toll.
• Explore the Ripple Effect and distinguish intention vs. outcome of suicidal behaviour.
• Learn a population-based approach to suicide prevention.
• Apply the Suicide-Safety Guide 3-Step Model: recognise, understand, support.
• Learn about suicide safety and self-care strategies.

Safe Talk – ½ day course

This half-day course is designed to give participants practical skills in supporting individuals who may be at risk of suicide. The course follows the easy-to-remember “TALK” model (Tell, Ask, Listen, Keep-Safe), which guides participants on how to intervene in a suicide crisis. A certificate of completion and a resource pack is provided with the course.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Recognize when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
• Practice having conversations about suicide using the TALK model.
• Understand how to connect individuals with suicide intervention resources.
• Identify signs of suicidal behaviour that may often be missed or ignored.

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) – 2-day course

ASIST is a highly interactive and evidence-based program designed to help participants recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide and provide them with life-saving intervention. This comprehensive 2-day workshop is perfect for those seeking to develop their suicide intervention skills further.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Talk openly about suicide and reflect on the ways personal experiences and societal attitudes can affect our views on suicide and our interventions. 
• Learn about the ‘Pathway for Assisting Life’ suicide first-aid approach that can meet the needs of a person with thoughts of suicide and support their safety.
• Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it.
• Appreciate the contribution of being ASIST trained in improving and integrating suicide prevention and helping to create suicide safer communities.
• Recognise the importance of self-care when supporting someone with thoughts of suicide and the role of life-promotion and self-care in suicide prevention.

Outcome:

Participants will be fully equipped to engage in suicide prevention and intervention, with the ability to create safety plans and ensure appropriate follow-up care.

We also offer a ½ day version of this course, please enquire further if you are interested.

Bristol Mind also offers a range of tailor-made and bespoke training courses, suitable for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing which is championed and led by Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), otherwise know as Affinity or Diversity Groups.

Typically, ERG groups are self-organised based on identifiers which might result in minoritisation within an organisation, or society at large. Groups can form based on:

• Race, culture or ethnicity  
• People with disabilities  
• Gender 
• Sexual orientation  
• Age or life stage e.g. menopause
• Parenting 

Our training courses create safe spaces in which people  can share specific experiences or barriers which create stress in the workplace, and co-design approaches which can be shared with their organisations to create positive cultural change. Courses can also be designed which bring diverse teams together to consider their mental health and wellbeing from an intercultural perspective. Please browse our courses below, or email: [email protected]. with a specific query or idea.