The short answer: look past the day rate. Check what kind of recognition the course has, who will actually deliver it, how practical it is, whether it can reflect your organisation, what support learners get afterwards, and whether everything is included in the price. The best provider is the one whose training changes what your people do when a real situation happens, not the one with the cheapest certificate.
I am obviously not neutral here. Piece of Mind Training is one of the providers you might be comparing. So rather than tell you to pick us, this article sets out the questions I would ask if I were buying mental health training myself. Ask them of every provider, including us.
This article is part of our practical guide to workplace mental health training for UK employers.
Accredited, certified or licensed: what do the labels mean?
Providers use a lot of similar sounding words. They are not the same thing.
| Label | What it usually means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated qualification (RQF) | A qualification from an awarding body regulated by Ofqual, placed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework used in England | That it appears on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications |
| Credit rated (SCQF) | A qualification or programme given an SCQF level and credit points by an approved body, such as Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA), placing it on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework | That it appears on the SCQF Register, and who credit rated it |
| CPD certified | The course has been reviewed as suitable for continuing professional development | That this is about learning hours, not a formal qualification |
| Licensed programme | Trainers are licensed to deliver a set course designed by another organisation | How much trainers can adapt it, and what the trainer’s own background is |
| Certificate of attendance | Proof someone was there | That it does not include any assessment |
None of these labels is automatically better or worse for every situation. A formal qualification with an assessment gives you evidence that learning took place, which matters for some organisations and funders. But a label on its own tells you nothing about how good the training is on the day, or whether it will stick.
For transparency: our Workplace Mental Health Qualifications are credit rated by Qualifications Scotland at SCQF Levels 4 to 6, and include an assessment. Ask any provider to be just as clear about theirs.
What questions should you ask a mental health training provider?
| Question | Why it matters | A good answer sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Who will actually deliver our course? | The trainer makes or breaks the day | Named trainers, with real experience supporting people, not just presenting |
| How practical is it? | People forget theory. They remember practising a conversation | Scenarios, discussion and practice, with a sensible balance of slides |
| Can it reflect our sector and our people? | A warehouse, an airline and a charity face different pressures | Examples and scenarios adapted to your environment |
| Can our own policies and support be included? | Learners need to know what happens next in your organisation | Yes, your EAP, escalation routes and procedures built into the session |
| What happens after the course? | Skills fade without follow up | Ongoing resources, refreshers and a trainer they can come back to |
| How are people assessed? | Tells you whether learning is checked or just attended | A clear, fair assessment with support for people who find tests hard |
| How do you handle people who find the subject difficult? | Mental health training can touch on personal experience | Clear permission to step out, and trainers comfortable with those conversations |
| What is included in the price? | Materials, assessment and certificates can be extras | Everything included, stated in writing |
| How many people per course? | Large groups mean less practice and fewer questions | A cap that keeps groups interactive, usually under 20 |
| Can you help us work out what we need? | You may not need the course you first asked for | A conversation about your organisation before a quote |
What are the red flags?
- A quote before a conversation. If a provider can price your programme without asking anything about your organisation, it is probably the same course everyone gets.
- Vague answers about who delivers it. “One of our trainers” is not enough for training on a subject this sensitive.
- A focus on conditions and labels. People do not need to leave with a head full of diagnostic criteria. They need to know what to do.
- Big promises. No course can guarantee a set return on investment or a drop in absence. Be wary of anyone who says it can.
- Nothing after the day. If the relationship ends when the certificate is issued, the skills will fade.
- Hidden extras. Assessment fees, certificates or materials charged separately after you have booked.
We have written more about why generic courses struggle in Why Off the Shelf Mental Health Training Doesn’t Work and Why Most Mental Health First Aid Training Fails.
How do you compare value, not just price?
The cheapest course per head can be the most expensive if nobody uses what they learned. When you compare quotes, ask yourself:
- What will people be able to do differently afterwards?
- Will they still be able to do it in six months?
- Does it connect to the support we already have?
- Is everything included?
For context, our accredited courses start from £95 per person or £995 for a whole group, with materials, assessment and certification included. Bespoke programmes are scoped individually. Whoever you choose, compare like with like.
Frequently asked questions
Does workplace mental health training need to be accredited?
No law requires it. But a credit rated or regulated qualification with an assessment gives you evidence that learning took place, which some organisations, funders and contracts ask for.
What is the difference between SCQF and RQF?
Both are frameworks for placing qualifications at a level. SCQF is used in Scotland and RQF in England. A qualification’s level on one can be compared with the other.
Is online mental health training as good as face to face?
It can be, if it is properly interactive with discussion and practice. Ask how the provider keeps online sessions practical rather than a presentation.
How long should workplace mental health training be?
It depends on the role. A half day suits general awareness, a full day suits nominated first aiders and team leaders, and longer programmes suit people shaping policy. Short 90 minute workshops work well for single topics.
One of the most useful questions to ask is whether your people will get a certificate of attendance or a qualification. We explain the difference in Did They Attend, or Did They Achieve?
The bottom line
The right provider will ask about you before they talk about themselves. They will be clear about what their course is, who delivers it, what it costs and what happens afterwards. If they are not, keep looking.
If you would like to put these questions to us, book a free call. And if we are not the right fit, we will tell you.