Mental Health First Aid Course for Clergy at Lighthouse, Belfast // 2nd-3rd March 2026
Flourish – the interdenominational suicide prevention initiative – are holding a Mental Health First Aid Course for Clergy on Monday 2nd-Tuesday 3rd March 2026. The training, which in ‘in person’, will be take place at Lighthouse, 187 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GF from 9.30am-4.30pm.
A spokesperson for Flourish told The Church Page:
Clergy are trusted leaders who do far more than lead religious services. They also play a vital role in the mental and emotional well-being of their congregations. During times of personal crisis, many people turn to faith, and Clergy are often the first to hear about issues such as stress, grief, anxiety, or family problems. By offering a listening ear and providing emotional and spiritual support, clergy often become a first step on someone’s path to healing.
While prayer and spiritual guidance are invaluable, Clergy can also serve as vital connectors to mental health professionals such as Counsellors and Doctors. By speaking openly about mental health – in sermons, gatherings, or one-on-one conversations – Clergy can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support without fear or shame.
The Protect Life NI Suicide Prevention Strategy found that clergy often lack formal training in mental health, and many have expressed a desire for more education in this area.
How You Can Help
If you’re a member of the Clergy, consider taking part in mental health training. One excellent opportunity is the internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course, and we’re running it this year, specifically for Clergy. MHFA is taught in over 25 countries and is used in schools, workplaces, faith communities, and healthcare settings around the world. It’ll equip you with the skills and confidence to have open, supportive conversations around mental health, deal with crisis situations and help you understand and recognise the signs of common conditions such as:
• Depression
• Anxiety • Addiction
• Psychosis • Trauma
• Eating Disorders • Suicide
• Self-Harm
You’ll also learn a clear, step-by-step action plan for offering initial support and guiding individuals to appropriate professional help.
Your MHFA Instructors
The course will be delivered by two qualified instructors with over 20 years’ combined experience working with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. They’ll share the practical model they use daily to initiate mental health conversations and connect people with the right support. You’ll also receive a Resource Pack, which includes up-to-date contact information for local support agencies and self-care advice for those in pastoral roles.
To enrol in the training, contact Danielle Davey, Flourish Co-Ordinator by Email: info@wewillflourish.com
