Mental Health First Aid

Background

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was developed in Australia in 2000 by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm as a response to the general lack of understanding together with stigma and discrimination associated with mental health. The aim was to improve the mental health literacy of members of the Australian community with the belief that mental health crises, such as suicidal and self harming actions may be avoided through early intervention.

The aim of all first aid is to preserve life and promote recovery. MHFA is no different and in teaching people how to give initial care, the course also dispels the fears people often have when they come across someone who they suspect has a mental health problem or is in distress. 

In Australia the programme  has been extensively evaluated, including two randomized controlled trials.  All studies have shown statistically significant benefits 5 – 6 months post training in helping behaviour, confidence in providing help to others, decreased social distance from people with mental health problems and improved concordance with health professionals about treatments.  One trial carried out in the workplace found positive effects on participants own mental health.

MHFA England

MHFA was adapted for use in England by the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) and National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) in 2007.  An evaluation of a project carried out in Hull in 2008 which trained 200 members of the public, reflected other studies in demonstrating an increase in confidence in helping someone with a mental health problem, a greater understanding of mental health problems  and the stigma associated with them, and a positive impact on personal mental health.

The Course

MHFA is a 12 hour course consisting of 4 modules and can be delivered over 4 half days or 2 full days.

The immediate aims of MHFA training are to:

• - Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others;
• - Provide help to prevent the problem becoming more serious;
• - Promote recovery;
• - Provide comfort to the person experiencing the problem;
• - Reduce stigma and discrimination by promoting understanding.

The training covers a range of topics relating to mental health including common mental health problems, the 5 steps of mental health first aid, depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, panic attacks and, psychotic disorders.

The training employs a combination of presentation, group work, role play and videos in order to:

• - Provide clear information about mental health problems;
• - Provide clear guidance on how to detect signs and symptoms of mental distress;
• - Outline simple but effective ways of helping someone until appropriate professional treatment can be obtained or the crisis has passed.

The training does not attempt to teach people how to be therapists or mental health professionals.

How can MHFA help at work?

Mental health problems affect not only the person experiencing them, but also others around them.  Knock on effects can include a fall in productivity, poor decision-making, an increase in mistakes made, increased sickness absence, high staff turnover and poor workplace relations.  These effects can be prevented by the early recognition that a person's mental health is declining and the appropriate responses, support and interventions.