Thirty free places on a half-day mental health awareness course in Dorchester are being offered to businesses.

The course will be delivered by an award-winning trainer on behalf of Mental Health First Aid England.

It will be held at the Poundbury headquarters of RiskSTOP which provides risk management services. The company is funding the places.

The four hour course is designed to give:

• An understanding of what mental health is and how to challenge stigma
• A basic knowledge of some common mental health issues
• An introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing
• Confidence to support someone in distress or who may be experiencing a mental health issue

Learning will take place through a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities.

Everyone who completes the course will receive:

• A manual to refer to whenever they need it
• A workbook including a helpful toolkit to support their own mental health
• A certificate of attendance to say they are Mental Health Aware

Natalie Joyce, RiskSTOP’s Group HR Manager, said: “I have attended this course and it is brilliant.

“We welcome nominations from any business. They can be located anywhere, they can be any size and in any industry.

“RiskSTOP is genuinely committed to promoting good mental health by preventing and addressing mental health issues among our employees and in the community.

“30 names will be drawn from a hat later this year.”

Anyone interested in a free place should email Natalie at [email protected]