Course objectives
- Understand the issues surrounding mental health and the main mental health disorders
- Identify signs of distress and at-risk behaviours
- Adopt an active listening stance and appropriate communication
- Intervene in a mental health crisis or suicidal situation
- Refer the person to appropriate resources and care services
Who it is for
Audience
Professionals (HR, managers, supervisors, public sector employees, educators, social workers); Voluntary-sector volunteers; General public; Anyone wishing to acquire basic mental health skills
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required to attend this course. It is open to everyone, with no prior knowledge of mental health.
Format
Face-to-face training, in our training rooms in Jarry or directly on your premises. A combination of theory and practical role-play exercises, using the centre's training equipment. People with disabilities are invited to inform us of any adaptation needs when registering.
Lead time
Registration is possible up to 48 hours before a scheduled session, subject to availability. For a session held on your premises, allow around 15 days between your request and delivery.
Course content
Sequence 1 – Understanding mental health
- Definition of mental health and the issues involved
- Perceptions, misconceptions and stigma
- Risk and protective factors
- Impact of mental health in professional and social settings
Sequence 2 – Recognising mental health disorders
- Warning signs and at-risk behaviours
- Anxiety and depressive disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Addictions and risk-taking behaviours
Sequence 3 – Supporting a person experiencing mental distress
- Listening stance, role and limits of the helper
- Appropriate communication and active listening
- Managing a mental health crisis
- What to do when there is a risk of suicide
- Referral to the relevant services and professionals
Teaching team
The training team at the Centre National de Formation et de Prévention (CNFP) is made up of expert trainers and speakers with extensive field experience and a thorough command of the regulatory frameworks applicable to their areas of expertise.
CNFP speakers are selected for their technical competence, their ability to pass on practical knowledge and their understanding of the professional realities of the trainees they train.
The training team is committed to the continuous improvement of practices, regulatory monitoring and the adaptation of content in order to ensure the quality, relevance and effectiveness of training activities.
Monitoring and assessment
Participant satisfaction rate
Attendance and course completion rate
Pass rate in final assessments
Level of achievement of learning objectives
These indicators are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the course and to inform the continuous improvement process.
Technical and teaching resources
Structured training materials (paper and/or digital)
Visual presentations (slideshows)
Case studies based on real situations
Operational quick-reference sheets
Facilitation tools and role-play materials
Certification
Assessment
- Monitoring of course delivery is ensured through participants' attendance sign-in sheets, adherence to the course plan and traceability of training activities in line with Quality requirements.
- Assessment of results is based on:
- formative assessments throughout the course,
- role-play exercises and case studies assessed by the trainer,
- an end-of-course quiz to validate learning.
- The results make it possible to measure achievement of the learning objectives and acquisition of the targeted skills.
Certification
This course does not lead to a professional certification. Trainees receive a training certificate issued by CNFP.
Quality and results
New course: the first indicators specific to this course will be published after the first sessions.
Across the centre, from 30 January to 10 September 2026: 112 satisfaction reviews collected from trainees, average score of 9.30/10, with 92.9% of scores equal to or above 8/10; assessment pass rate of 97.3% (181 passes out of 186 trainees assessed).
These indicators are updated after each session and are available on request.
Accessibility
CNFP considers every request for adaptation in order to facilitate access to training for people with disabilities. A preliminary discussion makes it possible to assess needs and, where possible, to arrange suitable adaptations.
Our disability lead reviews every request for adjustments: handicap@cnfp.fr
Interested in this course?
Session at your premises, dates to suit you, group size adapted.