When managers are supported, everyone thrives
Every great workplace starts with great managers – nearly 70% of people say their manager influences their mental health as much as a partner, far more impact than that of doctors (51%) or therapists (41%). (UKG, Mental Health at Work)
Yet, fewer than 29% of organisations provide line managers with mental health training. For those that do, 73% report their managers feel confident having sensitive discussions and signposting support (CIPD, 2025).
The gap between manager influence and manager training is widening, and it is costing employees their wellbeing and damaging business performance.
Introducing MHFA for Managers
MHFA for Managers training gives people managers and leaders the knowledge and skills to recognise when someone may be experiencing poor mental health, the confidence to start a supportive conversation, listen effectively, and the tools to signpost to appropriate help.
Building on the foundation of our MHFA® training, this course translates core Mental Health First Aid skills into practical tools for leadership – empowering managers to create psychologically safe, high-performing teams.
Through managerial case studies and scenarios, individuals embed their learning and gain confidence in how to use their Mental Health First Aid skills with their teams.
The course also helps managers set healthy boundaries in conversations and look after their own wellbeing, ensuring they can support others effectively and sustainably.
MHFA for Managers is the ideal choice for organisations that want to strengthen how their managers support workplace wellbeing.
The course sits within our wider portfolio of manager training {Link to landing page: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/news/Introducing-the-people-managers-portfolio/}. Recognising that one size doesn’t fit all, our courses are designed to complement one another seamlessly.
Cost
£325 per person plus VAT
Please contact us for information on charitable discounts. Costs may vary depending on location and instructor. Contact the instructor for more information by clicking on a course below.
Learning outcomes
As MHFAiders, your employees will be able to:
Recognise when a team member may be experiencing poor mental health and provide early, appropriate support
- Learn beyond the course through membership of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders ®
- Know how to access a dedicated text service provided by Shout and ongoing learning opportunities with MHFA England
- Know how to use the MHFAider Support App®
- Practise self-care
- Understand what influences mental health in the workplace
- Understand the manager’s role and responsibilities in supporting mental health, including maintaining clear boundaries and confidentiality
- Have open, informed conversations about mental health, using inclusive and non-stigmatising language
- Use active listening and empathy to build trust and psychological safety within their team
- Confidently guide team members towards professional help and internal wellbeing resources
Format
- Online or face-to-face course structured across four flexible sessions. Each session is a maximum of 3hrs 45mins and sessions can be delivered within a two-week period
- Learners will be trained over four live sessions with an MHFA England® Instructor Member, covering 14 hours of content in total
- Learning takes place through a mix of instructor-led training, group discussions, individual and group activities
- Each session builds on the previous, enabling the learner to gain confidence in supporting their team with an MHFA action plan
- We limit numbers to 16 people per course so that instructors can keep people safe and supported while they learn
Benefits
MHFA for Managers equips managers to handle the day-to-day mental health needs of their teams through relevant, real-world scenarios. This strengthens organisational productivity and performance by enabling managers to support wellbeing, reduce absence, and build more engaged, high-performing teams.
The course helps create supportive workplace cultures where employees feel able to talk openly about their mental health. By encouraging early intervention and recovery, it can help prevent mental health issues from escalating.
Mental Health First Aid for Managers also builds managers’ understanding of mental health and helps reduce stigma –- creating positive ripple effects beyond the workplace, with the potential to improve and save lives.
Takeaways
Everyone who completes this course gets:
- A copy of the workbook to support their learning throughout the course
- A digital manual to refer to whenever they need it after completing the course
- A wallet-sized reference card with the MHFA action plan
- A digital MHFAider® certificate
Join the Association of Mental Health First Aiders
Following the course, you will be invited to join the Association of Mental Health First Aiders. This brings MHFAiders together in one diverse and inclusive community. Together we will ignite a new era of action and transform how we talk about and support mental health.
Members gain exclusive access to a wide range of resources and learning opportunities, to empower them to fulfil their roles with confidence, skill, and care.
This includes:
- The MHFAider Support App. Access to features such as a 24/7 text support service, signposting to a national database of health services, and insights that teach critical self-care skills
- Access to the MHFA England Online Learning Hub. This includes resources such as course manuals and MHFAider guides
- First-hand insights. Learn from real people sharing their honest and lived experiences of mental health conditions
- Ongoing learning. Invites to exclusive quarterly webinars to help MHFAiders carry out their role with confidence, skill, and care
- Monthly newsletters. MHFAiders are kept up to date with all the latest news from our community
Find out more about the Association of Mental Health First Aiders
Becoming a qualified MHFAider
Once you’ve completed the Mental Health First Aid for Managers course, you can test your knowledge and build your confidence in your role as an MHFAider® with the internationally recognised MHFAider qualification, RSPH Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid.
Find out more about the MHFAider® qualification
Contact us
If you’re booking as an individual, you can learn more about course options and book directly with one of our independent instructors using the booking system at the bottom of this page.
If you’re looking to book for a group of people, get in touch with our workplace mental health experts to learn more and to discuss your organisation's requirements.
Group booking
Accessibility
We strive to create courses and resources that everyone can access. When you book training through MHFA England, please specify if you need course materials in accessible formats.
Visit our accessibility page for more information.
