Aims of the Training Are to Provide

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Why Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health problems are common. However, people often have little understanding of mental health or mental health problems, although they are aware of the associated stigma. Some people may lack the insight to realise that they need help or that help is available, or if they come across someone who is suffering with a mental health problem they may not know how to respond. Mental Health First Aid training can help.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained.

Mental Health First Aid does not teach people to be therapists. However it does teach people:

 To recognise the symptoms of mental health problems  To provide initial help  To guide a person towards appropriate professional help

The training aims to provide:

 Better understanding of mental health conditions  More confidence about mental health and what to do to help others  Reduced stigma about mental health  Better awareness of their own mental health and other people’s mental health

The course, provided over 12 hours in four sessions, covers (primarily in relation to adult mental health) :

 The five steps of mental health first aid  Depression  Anxiety  Suicide and self-harm  Psychosis

1 Who should attend MHFA training?

Mental Health First Aid can help to improve mental health for individuals, within communities, and in workplaces. This training will be appropriate to a wide range of people who want to raise their awareness and contribute to improving mental health.

Mental Health First Aid will be less appropriate for mental health trained professionals, for those who have received mental health awareness training and are already confident in recognising problems and signposting people to professional help.

It is provided in a training environment. The trainers are not therapists and cannot provide treatment or therapy for individual problems during the course.

Detail of Training Content

Session 1 1. Why mental health first aid? 2. Common mental health problems 3. Attitudes and anti-stigma campaign 4. The five steps of mental health first aid 5. What is depression? 6. Symptoms of depression 7. Alcohol, drugs and depression 8. Risk factors for depression

Session 2 1. Suicide in England 2. Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour 3. Crisis first aid for overdose 4. First aid for depression 5. Treatment and resources for depression

Session 3 1. What are anxiety disorders (PTSD, GAD, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD)? 2. Symptoms of anxiety disorders 3. Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders 4. Crisis first aid for panic attacks 5. Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction 6. Treatment and resources for anxiety disorders

Session 4 1. What are psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)? 2. Symptoms of psychotic disorders 3. Risk factors for psychosis 4. Crisis first aid for acute psychosis 5. Treatment and resources for psychosis 6. Mental health legislation 7. Other expressions of distress, including self-harm 8. Action planning for using MHFA