About MHS

BERNIE GRAHAM BA MSc FRSM MBPsS

Bernie Graham, Psychologist and Director of MHS, has worked in the Mental Health field for 25 years. He has extensive experience of supporting people with 'severe and enduring' mental health problems and managing support teams. Staff training has been an intrinsic aspect of his work throughout his career. Bernie is a member of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

In 2006 Bernie launched MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TRAINING & CONSULTANCY LIMITED (MHS) in order to focus on delivering Mental Health First Aid and general Mental Health Awareness training, to as wide an audience as possible. He also provides training programmes in assertiveness, traumatic stress reactions, support staff and carer self care, and animal assisted interventions (AAI). Bernie works independently, as well as in association with Simon Weston O.B.E. and National Mind. He is also a member of the National Training Team for Mental Health First Aid England.


MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA)

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course was originally developed in the Department of Psychiatry at the Australian National University to address the general lack of awareness and understanding of mental health problems. Bernie was the first person in England to complete the MHFA trainer's course and was instrumental in adapting the original Australian version to meet the needs of an English audience. As a member of MHFA England's National Training Team Bernie trains instructors to deliver MHFA across the country.

 

CLIENTS & COURSES

Since founding MHS, Bernie has established a broad client base including the UK Border Agency, MITIE, in the private sector, housing associations such as Amicus Horizon and A2 Dominion, educational institutions including the universities of Bath and Westminster, and national charities such as SHELTER and Mind, demonstrating his ability to provide top quality training tailored to the individual needs of diverse organisations.
[See our full client list]

Initially focusing on the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and general mental health awareness training, MHS has since developed its portfolio to include Staff and Carer Self Care workshops, a Traumatic Stress Reaction course and an Assertiveness training course.

Bernie is also author of the book "Creature Comfort - Animals that Heal" (Simon & Shuster) which looks at all aspects of Animal Assisted Interventions. His course, An Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions, benefits from this extensive knowledge of the subject.

Bernie's profile Bernie training in classroom

Delegates describe him as:

  • "An excellent communicator"
  • "A very engaging Instructor"
  • "Making everyone at ease and getting them involved"
  • "Passionate about the subject"