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Course Description
Mental health support doesn’t fail because people don’t care, it fails because conversations don’t happen.
Most Mental Health First Aid courses teach you what to look for. This course prepares you for what to say and how to say it.
Delivered over three immersive days, this programme combines the Qualsafe Awards Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (Ofqual regulated) with Ethos’ expertise in coaching-led communication and behavioural change.
You won’t just leave with knowledge.
You’ll leave with the confidence and capability to step into real conversations when it matters most.
Key Facts
Inchbraoch House,
South Quay, Ferryden,
Montrose,
DD10 9SL
5 - 12 Participants per course
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
£1950 inc. VAT
Suitable for
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Mental Health First Aiders,
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HR and Wellbeing Leads,
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Supervisors, Managers, Team Leads,
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Individuals looking to confidently support others
What's Included
Every participant receives a professionally developed workbook and course notes containing practical tools, exercises, templates, and reference materials to support learning during the course and application back in the workplace.
What to expect
understanding mental health + the Action Plan
Participants establish a shared language for mental health, learn to spot when distress becomes a concern, and meet the MHFA action plan that anchors the whole course.
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Understand mental health as a continuum — from optimal wellbeing to severe functional impairment — and how people move along it.
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Explore prejudice, discrimination and stigma — and how they relate to mental ill health at work.
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Spot the early signs of poor mental health and judge when ‘normal’ becomes an issue.
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Understand stress: how it builds, the ‘stress container’, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and signs of stress in the workplace.
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Introduce the MHFA action plan and practise listening without judgement using the SOLER technique.
Conditions, Crisis Response & Workplace Application
Participants deepen their knowledge of specific conditions, build confidence in crisis and suicide response, and learn how to apply the action plan in a real workplace before completing the accredited assessment.
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Recognise the signs, symptoms and lived experience of common conditions: depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, psychosis and bipolar disorder.
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Respond to a mental health crisis, including suicide awareness and how to have a direct, supportive conversation.
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Apply the MHFA action plan to workplace case studies and scripted role play.
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Understand the role of a Mental Health First Aider, relevant legislation (Equality Act 2010, duty of care) and the Thriving at Work core standards.
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Support someone who is off sick and on their return, and recognise what a mentally healthy workplace looks like (WRAP, recovery).
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Complete the QualSafe multiple-choice theory assessment under examination conditions.
Communication + Application
Participants move from knowledge to skill — building the coaching-style communication that turns a difficult moment into a constructive conversation, then rehearsing it live with a professional actor and refining in real time.
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Structure supportive conversations using the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward).
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Master active listening and questioning — open questions, TEDS prompts, and knowing when to stay silent.
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Recognise behavioural styles (aggressive, assertive, submissive) and choose an assertive, respectful response under pressure.
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Build a Speak-Up culture: understand what shuts people down and what invites them to talk.
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Practise courageous, difficult conversations through actor-led immersive scenarios drawn from real workplace situations.
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Receive real-time feedback from the facilitator and actor, then refine and re-run — closing the gap between learning and doing.
Beyond the workshop
1:1 Coaching Sessions
For those who want to accelerate their development beyond the workshop, optional one-to-one coaching provides personalised support to help embed new communication behaviours, overcome specific workplace challenges, and build confidence in applying the techniques in real-world situations.
Coaching sessions focus on the delegate's individual context, ensuring learning translates into measurable improvements in leadership impact, safety conversations, and workforce engagement.
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Sessions can be bought in blocks of 3 or 6.
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Each session lasts one hour with a dedicated Coach
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Sessions take place via Teams
why ethos?
Why it works
Realistic Practice Under Pressure (Professional Actor)
Delegates don’t practise on each other — they practise on a trained business actor who responds in real time with resistance, emotion and unpredictability.
This creates:
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Safe exposure to difficult, high-stakes leadership moments.
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Honest reflection on default behaviours under pressure.
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Rapid development of composure, listening and communication skills.
It’s the closest thing to the real world — without the real-world consequences.
Behaviour Change, Not Knowledge Transfer
This programme focuses on what leaders do, not just what they know.
Delegates will:
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Practise coaching-style leadership conversations.
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Learn to pause, regulate and respond — rather than react.
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Shift from directive leadership → influential, awareness-led leadership.
Immediate Application On-Site
Everything taught is designed to be used straight away.
Delegates leave with:
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A clear personal leadership habit designed for their context.
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Practical frameworks for listening, empathy, and courageous communication.
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Increased awareness of how their behaviour shapes team culture and safety.
what makes our approach different?
more than just knowledge
We focus on how people think, communicate, and influence — not just what they know.
local insight, Global experience
Combining deep local understanding with global experience, we apply proven practices in ways that fit how work actually happens on your sites.
emotional engagement
People change when learning connects to what matters. We engage both head and heart to create lasting impact.
Experiential and immersive learning
Participants don’t sit and listen. They practise, reflect, receive feedback, and apply skills in realistic situations.
On-site
Coaching
Development doesn’t stop at the workshop. We support personnel in real operational environments, helping them apply skills immediately.
Support that
lasts
Flexible follow-ups and e-learning maintain momentum and lock in real change.
300+
Operational Leaders
have graduated
>93%
Gave the facilitator the highest ranking for effectiveness.
>87%
Rated the workshop full marks for meeting expectations