Photo of Lynn consulting and smiling

Work With me.

Supporting better conversations about mental health and neurodiversity at work and in education

Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid

Accredited by Public Health Scotland

We know that it’s okay not to be okay and many people do want to ask for help when they are struggling… however, to have a positive experience and access appropriate support requires peers and colleagues to be equipped with the right skills and language.

By engaging in a mental health first aid course you will learn:

  • How to recognise the signs of mental health problems.

  • How to provide initial help.

  • How to guide a person to appropriate help.

  • How to ask about suicide.

The course includes:
• Guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider.
• Attitudes to mental health issues.
• Equalities.
• The recovery message.
• The impact of substance use on mental health.
• Introduction to suicide intervention.
• Listening skills.
• Understanding depression.
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing depression.
• Understanding anxiety.
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing anxiety.
• Understanding psychosis.
• How to offer first aid to someone experiencing a psychotic episode.

How long: 12-hours

Where: In-person

How many: 8 - 16 people

Costs

Higher/Further Education: £1750

Workplaces: £2400

To see how I can help you, head to the page most relevant for you…

Mental Health First Aid Network Support

*Discount on prices available for HE/FE.

 

Option 1: Strengthening Your Mental Health First Aider Programme - £825

This option is ideal if:
Your organisation already has Mental Health First Aiders in place and you want to ensure the programme is well-supported, clearly structured and aligned with internal policies and processes. This option provides a focused review of how your MHFA network currently operates and how it connects with organisational policies, safeguarding procedures and wellbeing strategies.

Includes:

  • Review of existing Mental Health First Aider guidance, policies and role descriptions (templates provided if needed).

  • Review of safeguarding, escalation and recording processes (templates provided if needed).

  • Consideration of how the MHFA role aligns with HR, wellbeing and organisational policies.

  • Meeting with HR and/or wellbeing leads to discuss the current approach and challenges.

Outcome: Clear, practical recommendations to help ensure your Mental Health First Aider network is safe, sustainable and well-integrated with organisational policies, governance and support systems.

 

Option 2: Mental Health First Aider Network Implementation Support - £825

This option is ideal if:
You want to establish or formalise a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) network within your organisation and ensure the right structures, policies and support are in place to enable the network to operate safely and effectively. This option provides a practical implementation framework, supported by a comprehensive toolkit and tailored guidance to help embed the MHFA role within your organisation’s wellbeing and governance structures.

Includes:

  • A comprehensive Mental Health First Aider Implementation Toolkit, including:
    – MHFA role description template
    – MHFA recruitment and application guidance
    – MHFA network guidance
    – Template MHFA policy
    – Template recording procedure
    – Template safeguarding and escalation procedure
    – Internal communications templates to introduce and promote the network

  • A consultation meeting with HR and/or wellbeing leads to discuss how the MHFA network will operate in practice, including boundaries of the role, escalation routes and organisational responsibilities.

Outcome: A clear, practical framework for launching or strengthening your MHFA network, with the policies, guidance and communication tools needed to support Mental Health First Aiders.

 

Option 3: MHFA Refresher Workshop

How long: Half day

Where: In-person or online

How many: up to 16 people

Cost: £750

This is for you if… your organisation has trained mental health first aiders and are looking for further support

 

Option 4: MHFA Network Facilitation

Mental Health First Aiders often become the people colleagues turn to when they are struggling. These facilitated network sessions provide containment, reflection and practical guidance so MHFAiders feel supported.

Sessions include:

• reflective discussion and shared learning
• guidance on boundaries and escalation
• discussion of common MHFA challenges
• “Ask Me Anything” space for questions

Once staff are trained, MHFAiders often encounter situations that they were not expecting. This practical refresher workshop helps MHFAiders revisit the core principles of the role and strengthen their confidence.

Participants will:

• revisit the role and boundaries of a Mental Health First Aider
• explore common real-world scenarios and clarify outstanding questions
• strengthen listening and supportive conversation skills
• understand safeguarding and escalation pathways

 
 

Single Session:

How long: 90 mins

Where: In-person or online

How many: up to 16 people

Cost: £450

Quarterly network support package:

Annual Cost: £1600

Consultant and Trainer Lynn Pilkington after coming off stage from giving a key note speach on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Why me?

I bring:

  • 10 years’ experience delivering mental health training across sectors.

  • Deep knowledge of legal, policy and safeguarding boundaries.

  • Accredited expertise in psychological safety.

  • Lived experience of mental health recovery and late-diagnosed neurodivergence.

  • A calm, direct style that makes difficult conversations safer and clearer.

I understand - professionally and personally - what happens when high-performing people struggle silently and support comes too late. I believe most people want to do the right thing – they just need to understand how to do that.

Testimonials