Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is exactly what it suggests, a first aid approach to mental health. Originally conceived by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm in Australia, the introduction of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has become an international activity: Hong Kong, Finland, Singapore, Canada and Scotland have all introduced mental health first aid. Wales and Ireland are currently working on introducing MHFA, so along with the introduction to England, UK wide coverage will be achieved.
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
MHFA is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. The aims are:
- To preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
- To provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state
- To promote the recovery of good mental health
- To provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards professional help.
The Five Basic Steps
The action plan for MHFA has five basic steps:
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Assess risk of suicide or self harm
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Listen non judgementally
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Give reassurance and information
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Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
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Encourage self help strategies
(Source: England’s mental health manual 2007)
NIMHE’s Involvements - A Partnership Approach
The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) aims to deliver the MHFA Instructor course within England by working in partnership with Lewes & Wealden Mind, Health Scotland and the Scottish Development Centre.
Making Best Use of Existing Resources
NIMHE will deliver the instructor training and associated materials through its current infrastructure, via Regional Development Centres. This still only involves some of the development centres during the first year.
Progress To Date
The National Training Team have been established and are delivering Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training in a various locations across England. To date, demand for the training remains high and over 300 people have received their Mental Health First Aid training since September 07.
Already the National Training Team is looking at ways to improve the course and the supporting materials.
Current Position in London (And The South East)
London is currently delivering this programme jointly with the South East Development Centre (SEDC). To date we have trained approx 49 Instructors many of whom have already commenced delivering 12 hr courses. We have also delivered 12 hr courses to various groups including East London Business Alliance, Primary Care Mental Health Teams and Public Health groups
How Much Will It Cost?
At present the cost to train instructors is £1900. The cost includes 7 days training and all the supporting materials an instructor will need to deliver MHFA (set of presentation slides, instructor’s kit and reference materials, MHFA manual, film clips, training and development days, assessment and registration as an Instructor plus annual update day).
London and the South East are currently offering subsidised Instructor Training courses for London and the South East. See flyer for details.
Supporting MHFA is an additional activity that NIMHE have agreed to support in order to establish a national standard for MHFA across England. The costs associated with the programme which includes developing the materials, training the national team and governance of the programme have to be funded from the MHFA programme hence the charge.
Currently London and the South East have five English accredited National Training Team members. They are as follows:
- Fionuala Bonnar
- Caroline Hounsell
- Poppy Jaman
- Chris Morgan
- and Gerard Rosenberg
Details of MHFA Instructor training courses can be found on www.mentalhealthfirstaid.csip.org.uk or by contacting enquiries@mentalhealthfirstaid.csip.org.uk or Chris Morgan.
