THE Marches School in Oswestry will serve as the site for a series of mental health training courses this year.

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, the Alliance of Leading Learning are adding First Aid for Mental Health to their training calendar.

For companies to have a qualified Mental Health First Aider in the workplace provides a useful point of contact for an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.

The number of working days lost to stress, depression and anxiety in the UK is rising, along with the number of working days lost to serious mental illness.

While mental health problems can be hard for staff to deal with within their personal lives, they can also have a direct impact on staff turnover, absenteeism and reputation.

Training will be delivered by Heather Noble from Salt Solutions, who is a First Aid for Mental Health Accredited NUCO Trainer, and all courses will be OFQUAL accredited.

All qualifications are valid for three years.

The courses will be face-to-face at The Marches School in Oswestry and the cost will include a certificate and refreshments.

Helen Lloyd, Lead Professional Learning Coordinator for the Alliance of Leading Learning, said: "We are very happy to have First Aid for Mental Health as part of our training calendar.

"Looking after our mental health, and that of our family, friends and colleagues, has never been so important; it encompasses our overall wellbeing and affects our lives in many ways.

"The three levels of training we are offering will provide you with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions, start conversations, implement a positive mental health culture and much more.

"It is hoped that we will run the training on a regular basis and look forward to working with Heather from Salt Solutions."

The three levels of courses being offered by the Alliance of Leading Learning are as follows:

Level 2 First Aid for Mental Health – June 15 and 29.

Level 1 Awareness for First Aid for Mental Health – Thursday, July 1.

Level 3 Supervising First Aid for Mental Health – September 20 and 21.

For full details or to make a booking please contact lead professional learning coordinator at Alliance of Leading Learning, Helen Lloyd on Lloyd.H@mmat.org.uk or call 01691 664452