Public Health Scotland are hosting an online SMHFA Training for Trainer course in February 2026.
Given the continued focus of national strategies, we must ensure our workforces are appropriately competent and confident to respond to mental health needs.
Public Health Scotland prioritises the following key priority areas for all PHS mental health and suicide prevention managed programmes and places will only be offered to applicants from the following areas:
- Health and social care including emergency responders and community pharmacy.
- Frontline supporters including those working in debt/money advice, housing and homelessness, violence against women and girls, community justice; addictions services, transport (e.g. bus/taxi drivers); hospitality and retail (including hairdressers/barbers), leisure, fitness and sport. And those working with specific minority group such asylum seekers and refugees, gypsy and travellers, care experienced people and other minoritised groups.
- Education including higher and further education, counsellors, youth work.
- Third sector agencies including voluntary organisations and charities
Participants must:
- Have already completed the 2-day SMHFA course within the last 12 months and be able to provide dates of when this was undertaken. Please note the course must have been completed prior to application.
- Be available and must attend all dates of the online 5-day course (16th, 17th, 18st & 25th, 26th February 2026).
- The course is intensive, and participants will need to be free of other commitments during the time allocated to complete any required development/skills practice elements of the course.
At this time please note this will not give participants the skills to deliver the SMHFA 2-day course online. This delivery mode option is available for the Training for Trainers course only.
Please note: There are only 12 places available across Scotland
Key dates and link to application form
- To apply for a place on the course, please complete the application here.
- The closing date for application forms is 30th January (Any applications not fully completed or submitted after the closing date will not be considered).
- Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 6th February. (Please ensure you keep note of the dates for the course in the event you are successful in application).
Due to the high number of applicants we are unable to provide feedback should your application be unsuccessful.
If you have any questions, please email phs.mhandsplearningresources@phs.scot
