Why Mental Health First Aid Is Important
There are many reasons why people need training in MHFA. This mental health awareness week we would like to inform our viewers on why training on mental health is important.
Mental health issues are common, especially depression, anxiety and those associated with misuse of alcohol and other drugs.
Research indicates that one person in four experiences some form of mental health issue in the course of a year. Throughout the course of any person’s life, it is highly likely that they will either develop mental ill-health themselves or have close contact with someone who does.
There is a stigma associated with mental ill-health. Stigma involves negative attitude (prejudice) and discrimination refers to negative behaviour. Stigma may have a number of negative effects. It may lead people to hide their difficulties from others.
People are often ashamed to discuss mental health issues with family, friends, teachers and/or work colleagues. It may also hinder people from seeking help. They may be reluctant to seek treatment and support for mental health issues because of their concerns about what others will think of them.
Stigma can lead to the exclusion of people with mental ill-health from employment, housing, social activities and having relationships. People with mental health issues can internalise the stigma so that they begin to believe the negative things that others say about them. A better understanding of the experiences of people with mental health issues can reduce prejudice and discrimination.
Many people are not well informed. Understanding how to recognise mental health issues and what effective treatments are available is not widespread. There are many myths and misunderstandings about mental health issues. Common myths include the idea that people with mental health illnesses are dangerous, that it is better to avoid psychiatric treatment, that people can pull themselves out of mental health issues through willpower, and that only people who are week get mental health issues. Common myths include the idea that people with mental illnesses are dangerous, that it is better to avoid psychiatric treatment, that people can pull themselves out of mental health issues through willpower, and that only people who are weak get mental health issues. Lack of knowledge may result in people avoiding or not responding to someone with a mental health issue, or avoiding professional help for themselves. As a result, people may not know where to seek help or what kind of help might be useful. With greater community awareness, people will be able to better understand their own mental health and feel more comfortable about seeking professional assistance.
Many people with mental health issues don’t get adequate treatment or they delay accessing treatment. Professional help is not always on hand. Even when people seek treatment, many may wait for years before doing so. The longer people delay getting help and support, the more difficult their recovery may be. People with mental health issues may be more likely to seek help if someone close to them suggests it. GPs, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health and social care professionals can all help people experiencing mental health issues. However, just as with accidents and other medical emergencies, such assistance is not always available when a problem first arises when these sources of help are not available, members of the public can offer immediate first aid and assist the person to get appropriate professional help and support, for example from emergency services. Elly Lloyd spent her childhood on the Norfolk coast – going on long walks amongst dunes, under big skies and in wide-open spaces in a land that felt beautiful but bleak. Elly first fell ill with depression when she was thirteen and has experienced episodes of depression on and off ever since. Her greatest joy is to write poetry that resonates with the reader. In this MHFA manual, Elly shares her experience of depression and the arts.
People may lack the insight to realise that they need help or that help is available. Some mental health issues cloud clear thinking and good decision making. A person experiencing such difficulties may not realise that they need help, or that effective help is available, or be in such a state of distress that they are unable to think clearly about what they should do. In this situation, people close to them can facilitate appropriate help.
Members of the general public often don't know how to respond. Even in an emergency, a person wishing to give assistance at an accident may be reluctant to help for fear of doing the 'wrong thing' (for example, cause further damage by unnecessarily moving a patient with spinal injuries). Similarly, in a mental health crisis situation, the first aider's actions may determine how quickly the person with the problem gets help and/or recovers.
In any first aid course, participants learn how to help someone who is injured or ill.
They learn an action plan to help them to remain calm and confident and to respond in an appropriate way to give the best help. MHFA provides this action plan.
Interested in becoming a Mental Health First Aider?
Contact us at: mhfa@bmrhealthandwellbeing.co.uk or ann@bmrhealthandwellbeing.co.uk
Who to contact if you need help?
Here are some groups you can contact when you need help.
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, in confidence.
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill.
PAPYRUS: A voluntary organisation supporting suicidal teens and young adults. Phone 0800 068 4141.
Depression Alliance: A charity for people with depression. No helpline but offers useful resources and links to other information.
Students Against Depression: A website for students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal. Find out more here.
Bullying UK: A website for both children and adults affected by bullying. Find out more here.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male.CALM exists to change this.
There's a website and a helpline: 0800 58 58 58.