Mental Health First Aid
THE AIMS
The aims of MHFA are to preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others. It provides help to prevent the mental health problem becoming more serious and
promotes the recovery of good mental health. It also helps you to provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
The Role of Clergy in Supporting Parish Mental Health.
Clergy are trusted leaders who do far more than lead religious services. They also play a vital role in the mental and emotional well-being of their congregations. During times of personal crisis, many people turn to faith and Clergy are often the first to hear about issues such as stress, grief, anxiety or family problems. By offering a listening ear and providing emotional and spiritual support, clergy often become a first step on someone’s path to healing.
While prayer and spiritual guidance are invaluable, Clergy can also serve as vital connectors to mental health professionals such as Counsellors and Doctors. By speaking openly about mental health in sermons, gatherings or one-on-one conversations, Clergy can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support without fear or shame.
“Clergy are often one of the first to hear the cry for help”
The Protect Life NI Suicide Prevention Strategy found that clergy often lack formal training in mental health and many have expressed a desire for more education in this area.
How You Can Help
If you’re a member of the Clergy, consider taking part in mental health training. One excellent opportunity is the internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course, and Flourish! are running it this year, specifically for Clergy.
MHFA is taught in over 25 countries and is used in schools, workplaces, faith communities and healthcare settings around the world. It’ll equip you with the skills and confidence to have open, supportive conversations around mental health, deal with crisis situations and help you understand and recognise the signs of common conditions such as:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Addiction
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Psychosis
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Trauma
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Eating Disorders
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Suicide
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Self-Harm
You’ll also learn a clear, step-by-step action plan for offering initial support and guiding individuals to appropriate professional help.
Your MHFA Instructors
The course will be delivered by two qualified instructors with over 20 years’ combined experience working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. They’ll share the practical model they use daily to initiate mental health conversations and connect people with the right support. You’ll also receive a Resource Pack, which includes up-to-date contact information for local support agencies and self-care advice for those in pastoral roles.
How to Register
Flourish! are offering three Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Courses specifically for Clergy between 2025 and 2026.
The courses take place over 12 hours, either across two full days in person, spread over two weeks or online, spread over three mornings.
Our 2025 Course dates are:
Option 1: Belfast
196 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GN
(participants must attend both 2 full days)
Day 1: Monday 8 September 2025. 9:30am – 4:30pm
Day 2: Monday 15 September 2025. 9:30am – 4:30pm
Option 2: Online
Microsoft Teams
(participants must attend all 3 mornings)
Morning 1: Monday 6 October 2025. 9:30am – 1:30pm
Morning 2: Wednesday 8 October 2025. 9:30am – 1:30pm
Morning 3: Monday 13 October 2025. 9:30am – 1:30pm
You can enrol now by selecting your preferred course below.
Together, let’s build faith communities where Mental Health is part of the mission!
MHFA teaches participants how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems. How to provide initial help and how to go about guiding a person towards appropriate professional help.
Why Mental Health First Aid?
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Mental health problems are common
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There is stigma around mental health problems and this can prevent people seeking help
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People generally don’t know how to recognise mental health problems or what help is available
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People with mental health problems may be unable to think clearly and may not realise they need help or that effective help is available.
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Professional help is not always immediately available
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In a mental health crisis situation, the helper’s actions may determine how quickly the
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person gets appropriate professional help
Who can attend?
Course Format:
Course Content:
The course has proved successful with different professional groups including health workers, teachers, front line public sector, voluntary and community sector workers as well as members of the general public. Any interested person can attend
MHFA is 12 hours of evidence-based training involving group discussion; role plays and DVD’s. The programme is delivered over 2 days or can be delivered in 4 x 3hr sessions. Participants will be expected to attend the duration of the programme.
Topics covered include:
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What is meant by mental health / mental ill health?
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Dealing with crisis situations such as suicidal behaviour, self-harm, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour
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Recognising the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use disorders
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Where and how to get help
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Self-help strategies
MHFA is delivered throughout Northern Ireland by experienced MHFA facilitators. Please contact Helen Gibson for further information.