Health Care Assistants (HCA's) are the primary carers of patients on psychiatric units. They make up the majority of staffing on units in the UK and they interact with patients more closely and frequently than any other type of staff member, yet, currently, they are not required to have any specialist mental health training. 

The current standard training revolves around Conflict Resolution and Restraint. 

As someone who has been on several psychiatric wards, there is a stark difference between HCA's who have an understanding of mental health and illness and those who do not. There is no consistency in the knowledge that staff have, with many HCA's having no knowledge on mental illness or how to take a compassionate approach to someone who is struggling with their mental health. 

This lack of knowledge and compassion often leads to stigma, inappropriate treatment and insufficient support from staff. This is not only difficult to experience as a patient, but it is also dangerous and could have a significant impact on a patient's recovery.

Having well-trained HCA's who understand mental illness is integral to the experience that unwell people have on psychiatric wards. We are asking for all HCA's to receive mandatory mental health training focused on mental illness knowledge, promoting positive mental health, and promoting recovery.