Hello, I’m DUCKMAN. I am a mental health activist who has dedicated my life to helping people in crisis and raising awareness about mental health. After losing my dad suddenly in 2018, I began in 2019 taking my best friend charlie a teddy duck out with me to support people in crisis, helping them feel less alone and sign posting to them to support. This is why I fight for change, for every person who feels unseen.

 

The NHS is under growing pressure to meet the mental health needs of patients in crisis. Yet too often, even trained professionals lack the practical, standardised skills to respond safely and effectively in emergencies.

Mental health professionals need to be more understanding and aware that someone can appear fine, or even say they are fine, while still struggling deeply. Many people are not ready to talk straight away,  and when that happens, they need to be validated, not dismissed. Far too often, people in crisis walk away feeling unheard and invalidated, which can make their situation worse.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training directly addresses this gap. MHFA is a comprehensive, evidence-based programme that equips individuals with the skills to recognise signs of mental health challenges, engage in supportive conversations, and guide people towards appropriate help.

The course teaches staff how to:

• Identify early indicators of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Approach individuals with empathy and understanding to discuss mental health concerns.
• Direct individuals to professional help and resources available to them.

MHFA training provides participants with the confidence and knowledge to make a real, positive impact on the people they support.

Why this matters 

• The NHS currently provides only a basic mental health awareness training, mandatory for all staff — but it is not sufficient. I have spoken with numerous doctors, mental health nurses, and other healthcare professionals, all of whom agree and support this campaign.
• Real results already exist. In 2020, during lockdown, we helped 380,000 people get off NHS waiting lists and into therapy — showing that focused action can deliver real change, even under extreme pressure.
• MHFA goes further. It bridges the gap between basic awareness and the urgent reality of supporting someone in distress, giving staff hands-on skills in crisis response, active listening, validation, and signposting.
• Lives are at stake. Patients experiencing self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe distress deserve staff who are fully equipped to respond in the moment.
• It saves money. Early intervention reduces emergency admissions, prevents repeat crises, and cuts the long-term costs of untreated mental health conditions.
• It’s achievable. MHFA can be built into existing CPD and delivered flexibly, a mix of online modules and in-person sessions without overwhelming already stretched staff.

We demand that

1. All NHS mental health professionals complete MHFA training within the next two years.
2. Refresher training is provided every two years as standard.
3. NHS England and the Department of Health allocate funding to ensure consistent rollout to all trusts.
4. Trusts report annually on staff completion rates and outcomes.
5. Offer staff support. 

Your voice matters

By signing this petition, you’re helping push the NHS towards a simple, cost-effective reform that can save lives, improve care, and ensure people in crisis are truly heard and validated. Too many people in crisis walk away feeling unheard, unseen, and abandoned, even by the professionals meant to help them. Mental Health First Aid training gives NHS staff the skills to recognise hidden struggles, respond with empathy, and save lives.

Sign now, share widely, and push the NHS to take action.

We started an official gov petition in 2022, but created this later on as the gov petition closed within 6 months

Thanks