Welcome to Head First
Background
Since 2019, HeadFirst has delivered over 60 mental health and suicide awareness courses, reaching nearly 800 people living, working, and volunteering across North Yorkshire.
This important work was made possible through initial funding from NHS England—supporting the national ambition to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health outcomes—and continues to be strengthened through the ongoing support of Public Health North Yorkshire.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental ill health remains one of the leading causes of ill health and long-term absence in the UK, with nearly 1 million workers experiencing work-related stress, depression or anxiety each year.
In 2024/25, these conditions accounted for over half (52%) of all work-related ill health cases and led to 22.1 million working days lost, placing significant pressure on individuals, organisations and the wider economy.
The economic and social cost is substantial. Recent estimates suggest that mental ill health costs England around £300 billion per year, far exceeding national spending on mental health services and underlining the urgent need for prevention and early intervention.
Recognising the need for a coordinated approach to suicide prevention, the North Yorkshire Suicide Strategic Group was established to lead and sustain a county-wide response.
Today, the partnership continues to bring together statutory services, voluntary organisations, community representatives, and people with lived experience. Its shared vision remains clear: to ensure that no life is lost to suicide in North Yorkshire, while strengthening support for those affected by self-harm and suicide.
The group works to:
- Equip communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to seek help and support others
- Support families, communities, and organisations impacted by self-harm and suicid
Communities play a critical role in preventing poor mental health and promoting wellbeing. As such, community engagement and development remain central to achieving the ambitions set out in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health. Increasing access to mental health and suicide prevention training continues to be a key priority within the North Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Implementation Plan.
Our Approach
Head First delivers a co-ordinated, county-wide training programme through a partnership of qualified and experienced trainers, ensuring consistent coverage across all areas of North Yorkshire.
Our Aims
Through this work, we aim to:
- Challenge stigma and reduce discrimination around mental health
- Build mentally healthy communities and workplaces
- Strengthen emotional resilience and overall wellbeing
- Contribute to a sustained reduction in suicide rates across North Yorkshire.
Find your next training course
We are here to help you fulfil your mental health and suicide awareness and prevention training needs by providing information on a range of courses (funded, subsidised and full cost). Courses are available for individuals and organisations who live and work in North Yorkshire to access.
Training includes online and face to face training delivered by accredited training providers. We have also included a range of resources and information for the public, employers and providers that help you to maintain good mental health, and support those around you.
Our Funding Partners
We work with a number of approved training providers to deliver Mental Health and Suicide Awareness training in and across North Yorkshire.
Applications have been open to a range of organisations including voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, schools & colleges, statutory bodies, faith groups and businesses and sole traders/employers.
