Mental Health First Aid

MHFA is perfect for those wanting to know more about mental health and how it affects others, or as an extension to standard First Aid programmes.

What are the course aims?

• preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
• provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state
• promote the recovery of good mental health
• provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
• reduce stigma and discrimination through education

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course outline -

Section 1:

• What is mental health first aid?
• Impact and costs of mental health problems.
• The five steps of mental health first aid.
• Risk and protective factors
• What is depression?
• Alcohol, drugs and depression

Section 2:

• Suicide in England
• How to help someone who is suicidal
• Listening non-judgementally
• First aid for depression
• Treatment and resources for depression
• Self care

Section 3:

• What is anxiety?
• Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders
• Crisis first aid for panic attacks and acute stress reaction
• Some common thinking distortions
• Treatment and resources for anxiety
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders

Section 4:

• What is psychosis?
• Understanding psychosis
• Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• Recovery from psychosis
• Crisis first aid for acute psychosis
• Treatment and resources for psychosis
• Action planning for using MHFA

The emphasis of the course is on learning through experience.

There will be discussion and inter-active practical exercises throughout the day.

Who should attend?

The course is for anyone who may come into contact with a person with a mental health problem either in their workplace or life outside of work.

It is appropriate for carers (formal and informal) and for people who have experienced a mental health problem.

• Support workers
• Employers/Managers/Human Resources
• Social services/Healthcare workers
• Benefits/Housing advisors
• Receptionists/Administrators
• Police/Correctional staff
• Youth workers
• Older peoples services
• Anyone interested in mental health awareness

Participants are encouraged to express frank opinions and share experiences.