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.

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:

  1. Assess risk of suicide or self harm
  2. Listen non judgementally
  3. Give reassurance and information
  4. Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
  5. Encourage self help strategies

(Source: England’s mental health manual 2007)

For more information and details of the latest training courses available in London, please go directly to the Mental Health First Aid website.