News & Updates

Safety Training Awards (STA) marked World Mental Health Day 2026 by announcing the launch of two new regulated qualifications designed to give people the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to better understand and respond to mental health needs.

The qualifications are now live; STA Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness and STA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid.

The STA Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness is designed to help learners recognise when someone may be experiencing a mental health difficulty or emotional distress. The qualification explores the importance of mental health and self-care, common mental health conditions and mental health within the workplace.

The STA Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid builds on the same Mental Health Awareness unit covered at Level 2 and adds a second unit dedicated specifically to Mental Health First Aid.

The Level 3 qualification develops learners’ ability to recognise and respond appropriately when someone may be experiencing mental health difficulties or emotional distress. It covers the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a mental health first aider, effective communication, dynamic risk assessment and crisis intervention, as well as how to provide initial support for a range of common mental health conditions.

Both qualifications are regulated by Ofqual in England, Qualifications Wales in Wales and CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland, with accreditation in Scotland currently pending. The Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid is also partially mapped to the CIMSPA Working inclusively – Working with People with Mental Health Conditions professional standard.

Blended learning options are available using a new STA Mental Health online programme allowing learners to complete some theory elements online to provide greater flexibility for ATCs and help learners balance training with other commitments. Fully face-to-face options are also available.

For more information, please see the qualification specification and tutor upskill.

Resources

Qualification resources include:

• STA Mental Health Resource E-Manual (covers both qualifications) – contains QR codes which once scanned with a camera phone, direct to relevant supporting information
• STA Mental Health Online Programme (covers both qualifications)
• STA Mental Health First Aid Skills in Practice Booklet (for Mental Health First Aid only)
• PowerPoint Presentations
• Suggested Timetables
• Assessment Strategies
• MCQ Assessment Papers
• Qualification Specifications.

The qualifications are available for registration and resources accessible from today, Monday 12th October 2026.

To deliver the new STA mental health qualifications, tutors must hold all the requirements and complete the FREE online STA Mental Health Tutor Upskill programme. The upskill holds a CPD value of ½ point and includes information on the course content, resources, and assessment requirements. It is recommended IQAs who wish to IQA the qualification complete the upskill. It would also benefit ATC co-ordinators.

Existing STA First Aid tutors who wish to deliver the new STA mental health qualifications simply need to:

• Provide STA with a copy of a current STA Award in Mental Health First Aid qualification (or acceptable equivalent)
• Provide STA with evidence of relevant skills, knowledge, experience and competency to be able to tutor / assess the subject.

Mental Health First Aid tutors from other Awarding Organisations can also apply for STA First Aid tutor status to deliver the STA mental health qualifications by completing this application form. Completed forms should be sent along with required supporting evidence to info@safetytrainingawards.co.uk

To become an STA mental health first aid tutor, learners must attend a first aid tutor course. The pre-requisites to attend an STA first aid tutor course are:

• Be at least 19 years of age
• Hold current membership of STA
• Hold a minimum of the Level 3 Award in Education and Training qualification (or acceptable equivalent)
• Hold STA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (or acceptable equivalent)
• Hold STA Level 3 Award in Mental Health (or acceptable equivalent) if wishing to deliver mental health qualifications
• Provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

If you have any questions regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact us.