MHFA England

MHFA Champion Course

The one-day MHFA England course that equips a workplace MHFA Champion to understand mental health, spot the early signs of mental ill health and help build a positive, open culture. Delivered by KeyOstas, in-company or scheduled.

1 day Accredited by MHFA England Certificate on completion Workplace MHFA Champions
Key facts at a glance
1 day
Durationa focused one-day MHFA England course
MHFA England
Accreditationthe recognised national training body
Champion
The outcomea workplace mental health champion
Action plan
Coveredan introduction to the MHFA action plan
The course
Quick answer

What is the MHFA Champion course?

The MHFA Champion course is a one-day MHFA England course that equips a workplace MHFA Champion to understand mental health, recognise the early signs of mental ill health, and help build a positive, open culture around it. KeyOstas delivers it in-company or as a scheduled course, with a certificate on completion.

A one-day MHFA England course for workplace mental health champions
Builds understanding of mental health and common conditions
Covers spotting the early signs of mental ill health in others
Introduces the MHFA action plan and simple ways to support someone
The MHFA Champion course sits between general mental health awareness and the full two-day Mental Health First Aider course. Over one day, accredited by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, it gives a workplace MHFA Champion the knowledge and confidence to support mental health in their team. It builds a fuller understanding of mental health than an awareness session, explores common mental health conditions, and develops the skill to spot the early signs that someone may be struggling. It introduces the MHFA action plan and simple ways to start a conversation and point a colleague towards support. The role of a Champion is to advocate for mental health, reduce stigma and help build a positive, open culture, so that people feel able to speak up and ask for help. The course is delivered through interactive activities, presentations and discussion, and delegates receive a certificate on completion. KeyOstas delivers it in-company or as a scheduled course, online or face-to-face.
1 day
a focused MHFA England course
MHFA England
the recognised national training body
Champion
a workplace advocate for mental health
Is it right for you

Is this course right for you?

The Champion course is for people who will champion mental health in their team.

Right for you if…

You want to train workplace MHFA Champions to support mental health
You want more than an awareness session, but not the full two-day course
You want people who can spot early signs and start a supportive conversation
You want to build a more open, positive culture around mental health
You want a recognised, MHFA England-accredited one-day course

A different course fits better if…

You want to train full Mental Health First Aiders: see the two-day Mental Health First Aid course
Your people just need their MHFA skills refreshed: see the MHFA Refresher
You want a short wellbeing awareness session for all staff: see Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness
After the course

What you will be able to do

By the end of the course, every delegate will be able to do the following.

Understand mental health

Understand mental health

Describe mental health and the factors that affect a person's wellbeing.

Know the conditions

Recognise common mental health conditions and how they can present.

Spot early signs

Spot the early signs that a colleague may be experiencing mental ill health.

Understand the role

Explain what an MHFA Champion does and how it differs from a First Aider.

Champion wellbeing

Start a conversation

Use the MHFA action plan to start a supportive conversation.

Support a colleague

Apply simple intervention techniques to support someone who is struggling.

Reduce stigma

Advocate for mental health and help reduce stigma in the workplace.

Build the culture

Help build a positive, open culture where people feel able to ask for help.

Course content

What the course covers

A focused day, delivered through interactive activities, presentations and discussion.

01

Understanding mental health

  • What mental health is, and the factors that affect wellbeing
  • Common mental health conditions and how they present
  • The role of an MHFA Champion
02

Spotting the signs

  • The early signs that a colleague may be struggling
  • Recognising when someone may need support
  • Mental health in the workplace
03

Championing mental health

  • The MHFA action plan and starting a conversation
  • Simple intervention techniques to support someone
  • Advocating for mental health and reducing stigma
Assessment

How the course is assessed and certificated

Discussion-led learning in a supportive group, with a certificate on completion.

Format

Instructor-led, MHFA England course

Delivered by KeyOstas online or face-to-face, in-company or as a scheduled course.

Assessment

Activity and discussion, not an exam

The course is built on interactive activities, presentations and discussion rather than a formal test.

Certificate

MHFA England certificate

Delegates who complete the course receive an MHFA Champion certificate accredited by MHFA England.

The course is delivered in a supportive group setting and is suitable for delegates with no prior mental health training.
Why KeyOstas

Why train with KeyOstas

Four decades of practical, in-company health & safety training.

01

In-company or scheduled

Run the course for a group of your staff, or attend a scheduled course.

02

Online or face-to-face

Take the course as live online sessions or face-to-face, whichever suits your team.

03

MHFA England accredited

A recognised, nationally accredited course, delivered by an experienced tutor.

04

Specialists since 1984

Four decades of training UK workforces in health, safety and wellbeing.

FAQ

MHFA Champion course: frequently asked questions

What is an MHFA Champion?
An MHFA Champion is a workplace advocate for mental health, trained to understand mental health, spot the early signs that a colleague is struggling, and help build a positive, open culture. It is a one-day MHFA England course.
How long is the MHFA Champion course?
It is a focused one-day course.
How is the Champion course different from Mental Health First Aid?
The two-day Mental Health First Aid course trains a full Mental Health First Aider. The one-day Champion course is shorter and focuses on understanding mental health, spotting early signs and building a positive culture.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. It is accredited by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, the recognised national body, and delegates receive a certificate on completion.
Can the Champion course be delivered online?
Yes. KeyOstas delivers it online as live instructor-led sessions or face-to-face, and in-company or as a scheduled course.
Do delegates need prior mental health training?
No. The course is suitable for delegates with no prior mental health training.
Is there an exam?
No. The course is built on interactive activities, presentations and discussion in a supportive setting.
Should we train Champions or Mental Health First Aiders?
Many workplaces use both: First Aiders as the trained point of contact, and Champions to advocate for mental health and build the culture. We can advise on the right mix.

Train your MHFA Champions

Tell us how many people you would like to train and whether you would prefer the course online or face-to-face, and we will put together a quote.

Last reviewed: May 2026. Checked against the awarding body and current course information.