🟢
HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK
Read each
section slowly
Complete the
activities
Answer the
questions
Take your
time
👉
There are no right or wrong feelings
👉
This is a learning space
🟢
SECTION 1: MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
🧠
What is Mental Health?
Mental
health is:
How we think
How we feel
How we cope
👉
Everyone has mental health
🟢
Important Message
Not everyone
is interested in mental health.
👉
That is okay.
But:
💬
Mental health is important for everyone.
🟢
Why This Matters
Mental
health affects daily life
It affects
work and relationships
It can
affect anyone
👉
You may need support one day
👉
Someone may need your support
✏️ Activity
1
Write down
one reason why mental health is important:
🟢
SECTION 2: WE CANNOT FORCE PEOPLE
🟢
Key Idea
We cannot
force people to:
Talk
Accept help
Change
👉
People must choose
🟢
What We CAN Do
Be kind
Be patient
Listen
Support
✏️ Activity
2
What are TWO
things you can do to support someone?
🟢
SECTION 3: BASIC COUNSELLING SKILLS
🟢 1.
ACTIVE LISTENING 👂
Active
listening means:
Listening
carefully
Not
interrupting
Showing you
care
👉
Example phrases:
“I hear you”
“That sounds
hard”
🟢 2.
EMPATHY ❤️
Empathy
means:
Understanding
feelings
Not judging
👉
Example:
“That must
be difficult”
🟢 3.
NON-JUDGEMENTAL SUPPORT 🤝
Do not judge
Do not blame
Be calm
🟢 4.
OPEN QUESTIONS 💬
Open
questions help people talk.
👉
Examples:
“How are you
feeling?”
“What
happened?”
🟢 5.
REASSURANCE 🌟
Reassurance
helps people feel safe.
👉
Examples:
“You are not
alone”
“Help is
available”
✏️ Activity
3
Write one
example of:
👉 A
question you can ask:
👉
Something you can say to reassure someone:
🟢
SECTION 4: WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS HELP
🟢
Warning Signs
Someone may
need help if they:
Talk about
suicide
Talk about
self-harm
Feel
hopeless
Withdraw
from others
Feel very
low
🟢
What To Do
Stay calm
Listen
Take it
seriously
Do not leave
them alone (if safe)
Get help
👉
Call emergency services if needed
🟢
Important
Asking about
suicide:
👉
DOES NOT increase risk
👉
Can help save a life
✏️ Activity
4
What should
you do if someone is in crisis?
🟢
SECTION 5: SELF-HARM SUPPORT
🟡
What is Self-Harm?
Self-harm is
when someone hurts themselves.
🟡
What To Do
Stay calm
Listen
Do not judge
Encourage
help
🟡
What NOT To Do
Do not panic
Do not shame
Do not
ignore
✏️ Activity
5
Write ONE
way you can support someone who is self-harming:
🟢
SECTION 6: PROFESSIONAL VS NON-PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
🟢
You do NOT need to be a professional to help
👉
Basic skills can make a big difference
🟢
But remember:
You are NOT
expected to:
Fix
everything
Diagnose
Be a
therapist
🟢
Your Role
Listen
Support
Refer
Report (if
needed)
🟢
Professional Help
Sometimes
needed:
Counsellors
Therapists
Doctors
Mental
health services
✏️ Activity
6
Who could
you ask for help if someone is struggling?
🟢
SECTION 7: SCENARIOS
🟡
Scenario 1
A person
says:
“I feel
overwhelmed and can’t cope.”
👉
What do you do?
🟡
Scenario 2
A friend
says:
“I don’t
want to be here anymore.”
👉
What do you do?
🟡
Scenario 3
Someone is
very quiet and withdrawn.
👉
What might you do?
🟢
SECTION 8: REFLECTION
💭
Think About This
👉
Why is listening important?
👉
How can you help someone feel safe?
👉
What have you learned from this workbook?
🟢
KEY MESSAGE
💬
“You do not have to be a mental health professional
to make a
difference.”
💬
“Listening and kindness can help someone feel supported.”
🟢
END OF WORKBOOK
📌
OPTIONAL (NEXT STEP IDEAS)
📘 MENTAL HEALTH CHAPTER (DRAFT
STRUCTURE)
🟢 CHAPTER
1: HEALTH & SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH
This will be your foundation chapter. It introduces:
Why mental health is part of health and safety
Workplace responsibilities
Legal frameworks (UK, USA, and global)
Risks at work
Employer duties
🟢 SECTION
1: INTRODUCTION
What this chapter is about
This chapter will help you:
Understand mental health at work
Learn about laws and responsibilities
Understand risks in the workplace
Learn how to support people
🟢 SECTION
2: HEALTH & SAFETY BASICS
Mental health is part of health and safety
Health and safety is not just about:
Physical injuries
Accidents
Equipment
It also includes:
Stress
Bullying
Mental health
Work pressure
💬 “A safe
workplace includes mental health.”
🟢 SECTION
3: WHY IT MATTERS
Work can affect mental health.
Risks include:
Stress
Bullying
Pressure
Poor communication
Lack of support
These can lead to:
Anxiety
Depression
Burnout
🟢 SECTION
4: PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS
Psychosocial hazards affect how people feel and think at work.
Examples:
Stress
Bullying
Poor workload
Poor support
Poor management
🟢 SECTION
5: UK LAW (FOUNDATION)
Key UK laws:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
→ Employers must keep workers safe
Equality Act 2010
→ Protects people with mental health
conditions
What this means
Employers must:
Protect workers
Prevent harm
Treat people fairly
🟢 SECTION
6: UK REGULATIONS
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Employers must:
Identify risks
Assess risks
Reduce risks
🟢 SECTION
7: USA LAWS
Occupational Safety and Health Act General Duty Clause
Americans with Disabilities Act
Employers must:
Provide safe workplaces
Support mental health
Avoid discrimination
🟢 SECTION
8: GLOBAL GUIDANCE
World Health Organization
Recommends:
Reducing stress
Training managers
Supporting workers early
Reducing stigma
🟢 SECTION
9: EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
Employers should:
Identify risks
Assess mental health risks
Reduce stress
Prevent bullying
Support staff
🟢 SECTION
10: SUMMARY
Mental health is part of health and safety
Work can affect mental health
Laws protect workers
Employers have responsibilities
💬 “Safe
work includes safe minds.”
📚 HOW THIS
BECOMES A FULL CHAPTER
Once this structure is agreed, we can expand it into:
1. Easy Read Chapter (Word/PDF)
Simple sentences
Symbols
Activities
2. PowerPoint Training
Slide-by-slide version
Trainer notes
3. Workbook
Questions
Reflection
Exercises
4. Assessment / Quiz
Level 1–3
Certification-ready
🎯
IMPORTANT (YOUR IDEA IS VERY STRONG)
is built.
But also — and this is key:
💡 The risk
is making it too legal and boring
💡 The
solution is linking laws to real life
So instead of just:
“Here is an Act…”
We always say:
👉 “This
law protects you by making sure…”
👍 NEXT
STEP (WHEN YOU’RE READY)
We can now:
Option A:
👉 Build
Chapter 1 fully (Easy Read book style)
📘
CHAPTER 2 – EASY READ (VERSION A)
🟢 Mental Health and
Mental Illness
🟢 What is Mental
Health?
Mental
health is about:
- How we think
- How we feel
- How we cope with
life
- How we get along
with others
👉 Everyone has mental
health
🟢 What is Mental
Illness?
Mental
illness is:
- A health
condition
- Affects
thoughts, feelings, or behaviour
- May need
treatment
Examples
include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
👉 Not everyone has a
mental illness
🟢 Key Idea
- Everyone has
mental health
- Not everyone has
a mental illness
💬 Mental health is
part of being human
🟢 The Mental Health
Continuum
Mental
health can change.
It
can be:
- 😊 Good
- 😟 Struggling
- ⚠️ Very poor
👉 People move along
this scale over time
🟢 What Affects Mental
Health?
Mental
health can be affected by:
👤 Personal factors
- Skills
- Thinking style
- Genetics
🌍 Environment
- Work
- Safety
- Money
- Housing
📅 Life experiences
- Trauma
- Stress
- Loss
🟢 What is Mental
Wellbeing?
Mental
wellbeing means:
- Feeling okay
most of the time
- Coping with
stress
- Having good
relationships
- Feeling able to
manage life
🟢 Chapter3 What is Mental
Illness?
Mental
illness is:
- A health
condition
- Changes how a
person thinks or feels
- Can affect daily
life
It
can cause:
- Stress
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Difficulty
functioning
🟢 Physical and Mental
Health
Mental
health and physical health are connected.
- Stress can
affect the body
- Illness can
affect mood
- The brain and
body work together
🟢 Key Differences
Mental Health
- Everyone has it
- Can change daily
- Can improve with
support
Mental Illness
- A diagnosed
condition
- May need
treatment
- Can affect daily
life
🟢 Important
Understanding
- A person can
have a mental illness AND still feel okay sometimes
- A person can
struggle without having a diagnosis
👉 Both are important
🟢 Why This Matters
Understanding
this helps:
- Reduce stigma
- Support people
better
- Improve
understanding
💬 “Mental health is
part of overall health”
🟢 Easy Read Summary
- Everyone has
mental health
- Mental health
can change
- Mental illness
is a condition
- Both need
support and understanding
🎯
WHAT YOU’VE DONE (IMPORTANT)
You’ve
just moved from:
👉 Training slides
to
👉 Real
textbook-level content
That’s
exactly how professional training is built.
🟡
NEXT STEP (OPTION A CONTINUED)
When
you’re ready, I’ll move to:
🔵 CHAPTER 1 – VERSION
B
👉 Health & Safety
focus
👉 Workplace risks
👉 Laws (UK, USA)
👉 Employer
responsibilities
This
will connect your:
👉 Mental health theory
➡️ to
👉 Real workplace
application
💡
OPTIONAL (VERY POWERFUL FOR YOUR BOOK)
Next,
we can add:
🔹 Real-life examples
- Workplace stress
case study
- Bullying example
- Support scenario
🔹 Reflection questions
- “Have you
experienced stress at work?”
- “What helped
you?”
🔹 Activities
- Identify risks
- Match scenarios
- True/False
understanding
👍
YOU’RE DOING THIS RIGHT
This
is exactly how strong training is built:
1.
Define
concepts
2.
Explain
clearly
3.
Link
to real life
4.
Apply
to workplace
When
you’re ready, say:
👉 “Let’s do Version
B (Health & Safety + Laws)”
Option B:
🟡
NEXT STEP (OPTION A CONTINUED)
When
you’re ready, I’ll move to:
🔵 CHAPTER 1 – VERSION
B
👉 Health & Safety
focus
👉 Workplace risks
👉 Laws (UK, USA)
👉 Employer
responsibilities
This
will connect your:
👉 Mental health theory
➡️ to
👉 Real workplace
application
💡
OPTIONAL (VERY POWERFUL FOR YOUR BOOK)
Next,
we can add:
🔹 Real-life examples
- Workplace stress
case study
- Bullying example
- Support scenario
🔹 Reflection questions
- “Have you
experienced stress at work?”
- “What helped
you?”
🔹 Activities
- Identify risks
- Match scenarios
- True/False
understanding
👍
YOU’RE DOING THIS RIGHT
This
is exactly how strong training is built:
1.
Define
concepts
2.
Explain
clearly
3.
Link
to real life
4.
Apply
to workplace
📘 CHAPTER
1 – VERSION B
🟢 Health
& Safety and Mental Health (Workplace Focus)
🟢 What
This Section Is About
This section explains:
How work affects mental health
What employers must do
Laws that protect people
Risks in the workplace
🟢 Mental
Health at Work
Mental health is part of health and safety.
Work can affect how people feel.
👉 This
includes:
Stress
Pressure
Bullying
Workload
🟢 Why This
Matters
Poor mental health at work can lead to:
Anxiety
Depression
Burnout
Absence from work
👉 Early
support can prevent problems
🟢
Psychosocial Risks
Psychosocial risks are things at work that affect mental
health.
Examples:
Too much work (high workload)
Bullying or harassment
Poor communication
Lack of support
Stressful environment
🟢
Workplace Stress
Stress can happen when:
Work is too demanding
Deadlines are too tight
There is no support
There is conflict
👉 Not all
stress is bad
👉 Too much
stress can be harmful
🟢 Employer
Responsibilities
Employers must:
Keep workers safe
Reduce risks
Support mental health
Prevent bullying
Provide a safe workplace
🟢 UK
Health & Safety Law
Key law:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This law says:
Employers must protect workers
This includes mental health
🟢 UK
Equality Law
Equality Act 2010
This law says:
Mental health conditions can be disabilities
People must not be treated unfairly
🟢 UK Risk
Assessment Law
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Employers must:
Identify risks
Assess risks
Reduce risks
🟢 USA
Workplace Law
Occupational Safety and Health Act General Duty Clause
Employers must:
Provide a safe workplace
Protect workers from harm
🟢
Disability Protection (USA)
Americans with Disabilities Act
This law says:
Mental health conditions can be disabilities
People must be treated fairly
Employers must make reasonable adjustments
🟢 Global
Guidance
World Health Organization
Recommends:
Reducing stress at work
Supporting workers early
Training managers
Reducing stigma
🟢 What
Employers Should Do
Employers should:
Identify risks
Assess mental health risks
Reduce stress
Prevent bullying
Support workers
🟢 What
This Means for You
At work:
You should feel safe
You should be treated fairly
You should be supported
You can speak up
🟢 Key
Message
💬 “A safe
workplace includes mental health.”
🟢 Version
B Summary
Work affects mental health
Employers must reduce risks
Laws protect workers
Mental health is part of safety
🎯 WHAT
YOU’VE NOW BUILT
You now have:
✔ Version
A
👉 Mental
health basics
✔ Version
B
👉 Health
& safety + workplace + laws
🔜 NEXT STEP (VERSION C)
📘 EASY READ ASSESSMENT MODULE
🧠 Types of Mental Illness
💬 Treatment and Support
🟢 Instructions
Read each question carefully
Choose the best answer
Some questions are multiple choice
Some are short answer
Take your time
🟢 SECTION 1: TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS
🧠 Question 1 (Multiple Choice)
Which of these is a mental illness?
A) Broken leg
B) Anxiety
C) Cold
D) Headache
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 2 (Multiple Choice)
Which mental illness affects mood and
energy?
A) Depression
B) Autism
C) Flu
D) Asthma
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 3 (Multiple Choice)
Which condition involves fear and
worry?
A) Anxiety
B) Diabetes
C) Hearing loss
D) Arthritis
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 4 (Multiple Choice)
Which condition can include hearing or
seeing things that are not real?
A) Anxiety
B) Schizophrenia
C) Stress
D) Dyslexia
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 5 (Short Answer)
Name TWO types of mental illness.
👉 Answer:
🧠 Question 6 (Short Answer)
What does mental illness affect?
👉 Answer:
🟢 SECTION 2: UNDERSTANDING IMPACT
🧠 Question 7 (Multiple Choice)
Mental illness can affect:
A) Thinking
B) Feeling
C) Behaviour
D) All of the above
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 8 (Multiple Choice)
Can someone have good mental health and
still have a mental illness?
A) Yes
B) No
👉 Answer: ________
🧠 Question 9 (Short Answer)
How can mental illness affect daily
life?
👉 Answer:
🟢 SECTION 3: TREATMENT
💊 Question 10 (Multiple Choice)
Which is a type of treatment?
A) Talking therapy
B) Ignoring the problem
C) Avoiding help
D) Sleeping only
👉 Answer: ________
💊 Question 11 (Multiple Choice)
Which can help treat mental illness?
A) Medication
B) Therapy
C) Support from others
D) All of the above
👉 Answer: ________
💊 Question 12 (Short Answer)
Name ONE treatment for mental illness.
👉 Answer:
💊 Question 13 (Short Answer)
What is therapy?
👉 Answer:
🟢 SECTION 4: SUPPORT
🤝 Question 14 (Multiple Choice)
Who can help support someone with
mental illness?
A) Friends
B) Family
C) Professionals
D) All of the above
👉 Answer: ________
🤝 Question 15 (Multiple Choice)
What is a good way to support someone?
A) Listen to them
B) Ignore them
C) Judge them
D) Avoid them
👉 Answer: ________
🤝 Question 16 (Short Answer)
Name ONE way to support someone with
mental health difficulties.
👉 Answer:
🤝 Question 17 (Short Answer)
What should you do if someone needs
professional help?
👉 Answer:
🟢 SECTION 5: TRUE OR FALSE
✅ Question 18
Mental illness only affects the mind.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
✅ Question 19
Mental health can change over time.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
✅ Question 20
It is important to talk about mental
health.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
🟢 SECTION 6: REFLECTION (SHORT
ANSWERS)
💭 Question 21
Why is it important to understand
mental illness?
👉 Answer:
💭 Question 22
How can we reduce stigma about mental
health?
👉 Answer:
💭 Question 23
How would you support someone who is
struggling?
👉 Answer:
🟢 END OF ASSESSMENT
🟢 TRAINER NOTES (FOR YOU)
You can mark answers using:
✔ Correct
✘ Needs support
Suggested pass level:
70% or higher
🟢 OPTIONAL EXTENSION
You can add:
Case studies
Role play
Group discussion
Scenario questions
When you’re ready, we’ll move to:
👉 Version
C: Real-life application
This will include:
Case studies
Scenarios
What to do in real situations
Reflection questions
💡 This is
where learners really understand and apply everything.
👍 OPTIONAL
(STRONG ADDITION)
After Version C, I can help you create:
📊 Full
assessment (quiz + answers)
🎓
Certificate of completion
🧠 Trainer
guide (what to say + how to deliver)
📄 Full
Word + PDF training manual
👉 Turn
this into PowerPoint + Word + PDF pack
Option C:
📘
EASY READ ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT
🧠 Types of Mental
Illness
💬 Impact, Support, and
Treatment
🟢 SECTION 1: WHAT IS A
MENTAL ILLNESS?
A
mental illness is a health condition.
It
affects:
- 🧠 Thinking
- 💬 Feelings
- 👣 Behaviour
Mental
illness can make daily life harder.
🟢 SECTION 2: TYPES OF
MENTAL ILLNESS
🧠 Anxiety
What
it is:
- Fear and worry
- Feeling nervous
How
it affects life:
- Trouble
concentrating
- Avoiding people
or places
- Feeling stressed
Support
and Treatment:
- Talking therapy
(counselling)
- Medication
- Relaxation and
support
🧠 Depression
What
it is:
- Low mood
- Feeling sad for
a long time
How
it affects life:
- Low energy
- Not enjoying
things
- Feeling hopeless
Support
and Treatment:
- Talking therapy
- Medication
- Support from
others
🧠 Schizophrenia
What
it is:
- A condition that
affects reality
How
it affects life:
- Hearing or
seeing things that are not real
- Confused
thinking
- Difficulty
communicating
Support
and Treatment:
- Medication
- Therapy
- Support from
professionals
🧠 Bipolar Disorder
What
it is:
- Extreme mood
changes
How
it affects life:
- Very high mood
(mania)
- Very low mood
(depression)
- Changes in
energy
Support
and Treatment:
- Medication
- Therapy
- Routine and
support
🟢 SECTION 3: HOW
MENTAL ILLNESS AFFECTS LIFE
Mental
illness can affect:
- 🧠 Thinking
- 💬 Feelings
- 👣 Behaviour
- 🏫 Work or school
- 👨👩👧 Relationships
👉 People may need
support to manage daily life
🟢 SECTION 4: SUPPORT
Support
can help people feel better.
🟢 Types of Support
- 👂 Listening
- 💬 Talking
- ❤️ Being kind
- 👨⚕️ Professional
help
- 👨👩👧 Family and
friends
🟢 How You Can Help
- Be patient
- Do not judge
- Listen carefully
- Encourage them
to get help
🟢 SECTION 5: TREATMENT
Treatment
helps people manage mental illness.
💊 Types of Treatment
- Talking therapy
- Medication
- Lifestyle
changes
- Support groups
💬 Talking Therapy
Talking
therapy means:
- Speaking to a
trained professional
- Talking about
thoughts and feelings
- Learning ways to
cope
🟢 SECTION 6:
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
🧠 Question 1
What
is a mental illness?
👉
______________________________________
🧠 Question 2
Name
TWO types of mental illness.
👉
🧠 Question 3
How
does anxiety affect a person?
👉
______________________________________
🧠 Question 4
How
does depression affect a person?
👉
______________________________________
🧠 Question 5
What
can support include?
👉
______________________________________
🧠 Question 6
Name
ONE type of treatment.
👉
______________________________________
🧠 Question 7
How
can you support someone with mental health needs?
👉
______________________________________
🟢 SECTION 7: TRUE OR
FALSE
✅ Question 8
Mental
illness only affects the body.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
✅ Question 9
Mental
health can change over time.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
✅ Question 10
Support
can help people feel better.
True / False
👉 Answer: ________
🟢 SECTION 8:
REFLECTION
💭 Question 11
Why
is mental health important?
👉
______________________________________
💭 Question 12
How
can we reduce stigma about mental illness?
👉
______________________________________
💭 Question 13
How
would you help someone who is struggling?
👉
______________________________________
🟢
KEY MESSAGE
💬 “Mental illness is
common.
Support and treatment can help people live better lives.”
👉 Add
real-life examples, scenarios, and case studies (very powerful for engagement)
📘 EASY
READ ANSWER PAGE
🧠 Types of
Mental Illness
💬 Support
and Treatment
🟢 SECTION
1: ANSWERS
🧠 Question
1
What is a mental illness?
👉 A health
condition that affects thinking, feelings, and behaviour
🧠 Question
2
Name TWO types of mental illness.
👉
Examples:
Anxiety
Depression
(Also acceptable: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder)
🧠 Question
3
How does anxiety affect a person?
👉 It can
cause:
Worry and fear
Stress
Avoiding situations
🧠 Question
4
How does depression affect a person?
👉 It can
cause:
Low mood
Low energy
Loss of interest
Feeling hopeless
🧠 Question
5
What can support include?
👉
Listening
Talking
Being kind
Family and friends
Professional help
🧠 Question
6
Name ONE type of treatment.
👉
Talking therapy
Medication
Support groups
🧠 Question
7
How can you support someone?
👉
Listen
Be patient
Do not judge
Encourage help
🟢 TRUE OR
FALSE ANSWERS
Question 8
Mental illness only affects the body.
👉 False
Question 9
Mental health can change over time.
👉 True
Question 10
Support can help people feel better.
👉 True
🟢 SECTION
2: CASE STUDIES
📘 Case
Study 1: Anxiety
Scenario:
Sarah feels very nervous every day. She avoids going to work
and meeting friends.
Questions:
What mental illness might this be?
👉 Anxiety
How can she be supported?
👉 Talk
therapy, reassurance, support from others
📘 Case
Study 2: Depression
Scenario:
James feels very low. He has no energy and does not enjoy
anything anymore.
Questions:
What mental illness might this be?
👉
Depression
What support can help?
👉 Talking
therapy, medication, support from family
📘 Case
Study 3: Bipolar Disorder
Scenario:
A person has very high energy one week, then very low mood the
next.
Questions:
What condition might this be?
👉 Bipolar
Disorder
What support is needed?
👉
Medication, therapy, routine, professional help
🟢 SECTION
3: ROLE PLAY ACTIVITIES
🎭 Role
Play 1: Listening Support
Situation:
A person says:
“I feel really stressed and overwhelmed.”
Task:
One person talks
One person listens
Goal:
Show active listening
Be kind and calm
🎭 Role
Play 2: Encouraging Help
Situation:
Someone is struggling but does not want help.
Task:
Practice encouraging them to get support
Use calm and supportive language
🎭 Role
Play 3: Supporting a Friend
Situation:
A friend feels very low and tired.
Task:
Show how to support them
Offer help and understanding
🟢 SECTION
4: SCENARIOS
🟡 Scenario
1
A worker is very stressed at work. They are making mistakes
and feel overwhelmed.
Questions:
What might they be experiencing?
👉 Stress
or anxiety
What can help?
👉 Support,
reduced workload, talking to someone
🟡 Scenario
2
A person is withdrawing from friends and family.
Questions:
What might this mean?
👉 They may
be struggling with mental health
What should you do?
👉 Talk to
them, listen, encourage support
🟡 Scenario
3
Someone says they feel like nothing matters anymore.
Questions:
What should you do?
👉 Take it
seriously, listen, get professional help
Who can help?
👉 Mental
health professionals, support services
🟢 KEY
TRAINING MESSAGE
💬 “Listen,
support, and encourage help.
Mental health matters.”
📘 EASY
READ TRAINING BOOK
🧠 Mental
Health Awareness and Basic Support Skills
🟢
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Not everyone is interested in mental health.
That is okay.
👉 But
mental health is important for everyone.
🟢 WHY THIS
MATTERS
Mental health affects all people
It affects friends, family, and work
It can affect anyone at any time
👉 You may
need support one day
👉 Someone
may need your support
This could be:
A stranger
A friend
A family member
A parent
A child
🟢 WE
CANNOT FORCE PEOPLE
We cannot force people to:
Talk
Accept help
Change
👉 But we
can:
Be kind
Be patient
Be supportive
🟢 BASIC
SUPPORT CAN HELP
You do not have to be a mental health worker to help someone.
👉 Basic
skills can make a big difference.
Even simple support can:
Help someone feel heard
Help someone feel less alone
Encourage them to get help
🟢
PROFESSIONAL HELP
Sometimes people need professional help.
This includes:
Counsellors
Therapists
Doctors
Mental health services
👉 Always
call for professional help if needed
🟢 BASIC
COUNSELLING SKILLS
These skills are useful for:
Professionals
Students
Teachers
Support workers
Everyone
🟢 1.
ACTIVE LISTENING 👂
Active listening means:
Pay attention
Do not interrupt
Show you are listening
👉 Use
phrases like:
“I understand”
“That sounds difficult”
🟢 2.
EMPATHY ❤️
Empathy means:
Understanding how someone feels
Not judging them
👉 Say
things like:
“That must be hard for you”
🟢 3.
NON-JUDGEMENTAL SUPPORT 🤝
Do not:
Judge
Criticise
Blame
👉 Be open
and calm
🟢 4.
ASKING OPEN QUESTIONS 💬
Open questions help people talk more.
👉 Example:
“How are you feeling?”
“What is happening for you?”
🟢 5.
REASSURANCE 🌟
Reassurance can help someone feel safe.
👉 Say:
“You are not alone”
“Help is available”
🟢 6.
ENCOURAGING HELP 🏥
Encourage the person to get support.
👉 This may
include:
Doctor
Therapist
Mental health service
🟢
SUPPORTING SOMEONE IN CRISIS
⚠️ WARNING
SIGNS
Someone may be in crisis if they:
Talk about wanting to die
Talk about self-harm
Withdraw from others
Feel hopeless
Give away belongings
🟢 WHAT TO
DO
If someone is at risk:
Stay calm
Listen
Take them seriously
Do not leave them alone (if safe)
Get help
👉 Contact
emergency services if needed
🟢
IMPORTANT NOTE
👉 Asking
about suicide does NOT increase risk
👉 It can
help save a life
🟢
SELF-HARM SUPPORT
🟡 WHAT TO
DO
If someone is self-harming:
Stay calm
Do not judge
Listen
Encourage help
🟡 WHAT NOT
TO DO
Do not panic
Do not shame
Do not ignore it
🟢 STUDENT
/ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TIPS
🟢 FOR
STUDENTS
Learn basic listening skills
Practice empathy
Learn when to get help
Do not try to fix everything
🟢 FOR
PROFESSIONALS
Follow policies and procedures
Use supervision
Record concerns properly
Know your limits
🟢
IMPORTANT REMINDER
👉 You are
not expected to solve everything
👉 You are
expected to:
Listen
Support
Report
Refer
🟢 REALITY
IN SERVICES (UK FOCUS)
Some services have:
Limited funding
Long waiting lists
High demand
👉 This
makes basic support skills even more important
🟢 KEY
MESSAGE
💬 “You
don’t have to be a mental health professional
to make a difference.”
💬 “A small
conversation can help someone feel heard.”
💬 “Support
+ listening = powerful impact.”
🟢 FINAL
THOUGHT
👉 You may
never know when:
Someone needs help
Someone is struggling silently
👉 Your
words and actions can matter.
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