How has the course content changed?

The upskill focuses in detail on the new changes to the course content, as well as any changes to processes and systems.  

Here is a summary of some of the changes to the course: 

• To help learners feel they have someone alongside them on the learning journey, we have introduced fictional buddy MHFAiders® in the course workbook 
• At the beginning of each session these fictional buddy MHFAiders® tell the learner about their experience on the course, and throughout the session offer tips and share their own learning reflections 
• These buddy MHFAiders® also appear in the new films, where we see them having an MHFA conversation 
• There is now a greater focus on the role of the MHFAider® and its boundaries 
• We have included a quiz in each session to help embed learning. MHFA International research shows that covering ALGEE several times helps learners remember what it is and how it works 
• We use an oxygen mask on a plane analogy to help emphasise self-care and illustrate that you can’t offer help to others if you aren’t in a good place yourself 
• There is inclusive language throughout and more representative case studies in a range of settings 
• The four new films feature people from a range of backgrounds, and each shows an MHFAider® having an MHFA conversation 
• The films bring ALGEE to life and show learners how to apply the ALGEE actions. There are discussion points after each film to expand on the role of the MHFAider® and how they applied ALGEE. You will also be able to access the films via the dashboard 
• The course now includes three conversation practice sessions. These allow learners to either take part or observe a conversation and discuss how it went 
• To improve the consistency of learner experience, there is now one set of session plans for both online and face to face delivery 
• We have removed individual learning to allow flexible and consistent delivery, whether online or face to face 

We recognise that it is always difficult when a much-loved course changes. There may be elements of the existing course that you miss. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to include all of the previous exercises and introduce the new content without making the course much longer. 

All changes were made following feedback from learners, Instructor Members, and workplaces.