Scope · Specialism: mental health

Specialist content for mental health — in development

The & programme recognises this specialism but does not yet publish population-specific competencies — specialist apply the four core competency domains and require additional skills, experience or qualifications appropriate to the population, with appropriate supervision.

& are working with subject-matter expert partners to develop full specialist content for this track. This will include specific safeguarding considerations, evidence-based interventions, and case studies relevant to this population — drawing on practice from multiple countries.

In the meantime, your starting points

Mental Health First Aid and equivalent training is widely available; many employers fund it for .
Peer-led mental health learning programmes (such as Recovery College models in many areas) often offer training open to .
Local talking-therapy and mental health crisis pathways — every region has its own; build this knowledge into your practice early.
Your country's main mental health charities for self-management resources for the people you support.

Until full specialist content lands

If you are working in this specialism today, the programme's expectations are clear:

Practise within the four core competency domains — they apply just as strongly in specialist work as in generalist.
Have enhanced supervision appropriate to the specialism — your supervisor needs the right skills and experience too.
Build specialist peer support — networks of working with the same population, locally or internationally (e.g. through national chapters).
Document your against the competency framework using the Self-assessment and the Portfolio of Evidence.

If you would like to contribute to the development of this specialism track, get in touch via or .