COVID-19: Free mental health training available to all frontline workers

Public Health England (PHE) are offering a free online psychological first aid training course for all frontline staff and volunteers who have dealt with difficult situations during the coronavirus pandemic.

This training will help equip staff to provide much needed support and help to recognise when people are at risk of distress. The course will teach the key principles of giving psychological first aid in emergencies.

The course enables responders to develop their skills and confidence in providing key psychological support to people affected by coronavirus, including on issues such as job worries, bereavement or isolation as they carry out their vital work as part of the ongoing coronavirus response.

Yvonne Doyle, medical director at PHE, said: “The current pandemic has had a profound impact on all of our daily lives and none more so than our frontline workers who are seeing the effects of the outbreak first-hand.

“Our training course aims to provide frontline staff and volunteers with additional resources on how to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing, how to provide support to those who need it most and advice on how to cope with difficult situations.”

’Supporting each other’s mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever’

The topics covered in this three-week course include, how emergencies impact mental health and supporting yourself and your colleagues. The course also has example scenarios.

Supporting this new initiative is Nadine Dorries, minister for mental Health who said: “Supporting each other’s mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever during these challenging and uncertain times. Staff and volunteers in many different roles are working tirelessly to provide crucial support at this time and are often a critical touchpoint in identifying those who may be affected.

“This new training course will help to support the incredible work of frontline workers to support those most in need both through the coronavirus outbreak and beyond, equipping them with vital tools to deliver psychological first aid.”

This course has been produced by Public Health England and is based on international guidance from the World Health Organisation, United Nations and partners.

To start your free on-line training click here