The First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 gave me the tools and information I needed to be able to have open and supportive conversations about mental health, not just with co-workers but with friends and relatives, too. The main learnings that stood out were how powerful a safe and open conversation can be for someone who is struggling with poor mental health, and the positive impact it can have on them to know that someone is listening and cares about them. The interactive real talk about suicide film was very powerful, and gave a really good example of how to handle a conversation like that, how to ask difficult questions, and put listening techniques into practice. I found the mental health continuum really interesting, and think that knowing we all have mental health and need to find ways to look after it that work for us is a really important message and I look forward to being part of bringing that message in to my workplace. I would recommend MHScot to everyone - we all have the ability to help someone who is struggling with their mental health, but often knowing what to say or how to start talking about it is our biggest barrier. I think if everyone had the knowledge and skills set out in this course, the world would seem a far less daunting place for people struggling with poor mental health or a diagnosed mental health condition.

Edinburgh Innovations - https://edinburgh-innovations.ed.ac.uk

By doing the First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by providing a very comprehensive course with videos to support the modules and lots of downloadable information to use afterwards. The main things that stood out were the importance of the role of the Mental Health First Aider, the vast array of information and support available and how important my role will be as a manager with a fairly large staff. I feel much better equipped to provide support. I found the experience really informative and enjoyed the virtual group session with colleagues from other departments. I would recommend MHScot to people who need further information and advice about supporting people in the workplace with their mental health.

West Dunbartonshire Council - www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

By doing First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by explaining better issues around Mental Health which I thought I already had a relatively clear understanding of. The main things that stood out were that asking someone about suicide does not suggest it to them as an option, no-one ever got worse by someone asking ‘How are you?’ and no-one chooses to become an addict. I am more convinced of physical health and mental health having equal priority, not only in the workplace. I would recommend MHScot to people who need convincing that ‘manning-up’ and ‘soldiering-on’ is an effective health and well-being approach.

Glasgow City Council - www.glasgow.gov.uk

I wanted to do First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 because mental health is something I find really interesting and it is so often overlooked by people as being a "problem/drama" rather than a real health issue. I am really keen to help break that stigma and learn more about it so I can help others open up to the idea of it being as important as physical health. MHScot helped me by guiding me through ways to start a conversation with someone who might need help & what approach to take for different situations and mental health issues that someone could face. I found the experience interesting and useful. I would recommend MHScot to people who need to raise awareness of mental health in their workplace.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

By doing the First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by educating myself about Mental Health and the conditions that we may see in the workplace. It gave me the confidence to start conversations in the workplace and where to signpost colleagues to get help. The things that stood out were that we all have mental health and it is a continuum. Before the course I didn't think about the fact that everyone has mental health and that it can change from day to day. This way of thinking made it much easier to see why people with a mental health condition can have good days, but also why those without a mental health condition can have bad days. All the videos were very helpful, especially those where people who had suffered from mental health conditions talked. It reiterated the signs to look out for. I would recommend MHScot to people who need a positive mental health atmosphere in their workplace. It is a great course to start thinking about how to improve mental health for all staff.

Bellahouston Academy

By doing the First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by improving my knowledge of the immense resources available to help recognise the signs that someone may need help, and to help point signpost them in the appropriate manner. The main things that stood out were how important it is to look after yourself (can't pour from an empty cup), the range of knowledge when you pull different minds together and the importance of a work/life balance. I would recommend MHScot to people who need to learn how to care without taking the problems on themselves. People who need to be able to recognise the signs that some people may be holding back on what they are really thinking / experiencing. You need to be able to ask the right questions at the right time, and know how to follow through on everything you promise.

Scottish Sea Farms - https://scottishseafarms.com

By doing First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by providing high quality training in mental health and mental health first aid, giving me skills that I can use immediately at work and in everyday life. The main things that stood out were that the training was delivered in a very thoughtful way, with a good modular structure, time for self reflection, and some face-to-face online learning sessions. It lead us through consideration of what mental health is, what the underlying causes might be, and how workplace and demands of work intersect with mental health. It also gave clear training around mental health first aiding, and the CARE process for assessing and supporting anyone experiencing poor mental health. I would recommend MHScot to people who need to understand their own and others' mental health better, including those who wish to be mental health first aiders.

The University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences - www.ed.ac.uk/biology

By doing First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, it gave me ways to recognise when someone is struggling and start a conversation. The main things that stood out were that the tutors were very knowledgeable, but also down-to-earth, that learning was achieved through many formats; video, face-to-face, reading etc. and that many resources were shared. I would recommend MHScot to people who need to be able to help and support their colleagues, friends and family.

Scottish Sea Farms - https://scottishseafarms.com

By doing the First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me by providing clear information and links to further resources. The 3 things that stood out were the varied learning styles: reading; visuals; videos; interactive videos; discussion sessions, clearly organised and structured and a clear action plan for a mental health first aider. It has made me feel more confident that I could actually help someone, even when they are in a very difficult situation that you can't fix yourself, just by doing small things like listening to them and suggesting self-help/further resources. This would make me more likely to approach someone and start a conversation, and in cases this could potentially be a life-saving intervention. I would recommend MHScot to people who need confidence and skills to be able to help others who are struggling.

The University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences - www.ed.ac.uk/biology

We approached MHScot to do First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 because as an organisation, we prioritise physical and mental wellbeing and were keen to arrange guided on-line mental health first aid training for three staff members. MHScot helped me by broadening my understanding of mental health and wellbeing and the role of a mental health first aider. We will now be able to support staff members during what is an especially difficult time due to the impact of Covid-19. We liked their friendly, approachable facilitator, Catherine Eadie. There was a good balance of self-directed learning and guided sessions. We found the experience hugely beneficial both individually and as an organisation. I would recommend MHScot to people who need any sort of mental health/wellbeing training.

4J Studios - www.4jstudios.com

By doing First Aid for Mental Health Level 2, MHScot helped me understand the benefits of having mental health 1st aiders in the workplace. The main thing that stood out was that we need to remove stigma surrounding mental health conditions and find a way to promote and encourage speaking more openly about our mental health. I enjoyed hearing other people's experiences of mental health as part of the group sessions and realised that everyone knows someone or has suffered with poor mental at some point during their life. I would recommend MHScot to people who feel they would like to do some studying but in a supportive group/environment.

West Dunbartonshire Council - www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

By offering First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 online, it made it easier to reach more people in the company, especially in rural areas. I found that the experience has helped me understand my own mental health a bit better. I have started to think more about my physical health and how making small changes can be positive for my mental health. I feel happy knowing that I am better equipped to be able to help someone if needed. I would recommend the course to everyone. I think it's beneficial even just to refresh your memory and make you think about what you already know. Knowing how many people suffer from poor mental health, it is important for people to be able to understand that better and offer help.

Scottish Sea Farms - https://scottishseafarms.com

I decided to do First Aid for Mental Health Level 2 because mental health is such an important subject, but so often not talked about, especially in the workplace. I hope to make a change to that, even in a small way. MHScot helped me by giving me the tools to broach some very difficult and emotive subjects, such as self-harm. Knowing how to start a conversation and listen well are skills I will use every day. The result was that I have resources galore at my fingertips, which has been really helpful. I also have confidence going into conversations about mental health with people I don't know so well as well as with friends and family. I found the experience empowering. I would recommend MHScot to people who need to to better understand mental health in the workplace, and in fact in any situation.

Edinburgh Innovations - https://edinburgh-innovations.ed.ac.uk/