Mental Health First Aid
First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
The Aims of the course 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 Mental Health First Aid Course
The Mental Health First Aid Course is a 12 hour course. This can be delivered over 2 days, or 4 half days according to need.
The course covers the mental health crisis situations of:
- Suicidal behaviour/thoughts
- Panic attack/Acute stress reaction
- Acute psychotic behaviour
The on-going mental health problems covered are:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
- Gradual onset psychosis
- Substance misuse
Does it work?
MHFA has been systematically evaluated in Australia, and found to be consistently effective. See
MHFA has also been evaluated in Scotland, and is curently being evaluated in England. All studies so far have confirmed that it is effective.
Feedback from participants on courses I have taught has been universally positive.
MHFA Internationally
MHFA has been acredited in many countries, including: Australia, USA, Canada, Finland, Japan, South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
