Working with ALGEE
Learning the ALGEE model was one of the most frequently mentioned parts of the course. Participants valued having a structure they could apply across different mental health situations and conversations.
On 18 and 19 March 2025, Green Ribbons delivered Scotland's Mental Health First Aid for Edrington at The Macallan Estate in Craigellachie. Feedback gathered after the course gives a detailed picture of what participants found useful, where they felt better prepared and where they still wanted more practice.
A framework participants could use
Seeing the wider picture
Feedback also reflected the breadth of the course. Participants referred to anxiety, depression, suicide, assumptions about mental health and the range of ways mental health difficulties can affect people.
Learning from each other
Several responses highlighted the value of hearing colleagues' experiences and sharing examples within the group. The discussions were part of the learning, rather than the course relying on presentation alone.
More prepared, without pretending every situation is easy
The post-course confidence comments were positive, but they were also measured. Participants repeatedly described themselves as more confident, more prepared or more positive than before the course. At the same time, several acknowledged that some situations would still feel challenging, that they were not completely confident, or that there was more to learn.
That combination is useful evidence in its own right. The feedback does not suggest that participants left expecting every mental health conversation to be straightforward. It shows a clearer starting point, greater awareness and a recognition that judgement, practice and continued learning still matter.
Practical learning that stayed with people
- The hearing-voices exercise was singled out several times as particularly impactful.
- Practical work around conversations about suicide was also repeatedly mentioned.
- Participants valued regular reflection and opportunities to connect the course with situations they recognised from life and work.
- Several comments noted the balance between serious subject matter, humour and lighter activities.
- The variety of learning methods was positively reflected in the wider course feedback.
One useful point for future delivery
One participant said they would have found it helpful to revisit the individual parts of ALGEE more explicitly within each topic. That sits alongside the many positive references to ALGEE and provides a specific point to keep reinforcing in future delivery.
Recommendation and follow-up
Every response recorded under the question about recommending the course to a colleague was positive. The comments ranged from a simple yes to recommending the course while also being clear that the subject matter can be intense.
One participant also suggested follow-up sessions to refresh the skills. No later follow-up activity is assumed here, but the suggestion is a useful indication of how at least one participant was thinking about keeping the learning active after the two days.
