Mental health is a part of overall well-being, but it’s frequently neglected in personal and professional life. As mental illness stigma declines, the demand for effective support mechanisms increases. One of these critical resources is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, which empowers individuals to assist others experiencing mental health crises.
Here, we will explore the five major actions of Mental Health First Aid and why they are crucial. Whether you’re looking to know the fundamentals of MHFA training in Brisbane or are interested in knowing how these actions can be used in any community, this guide will provide you with the information you need to act when mental health is in danger.
The Role of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Today’s Society
Before getting into the details of the five steps, it’s important to understand the general context wherein Mental Health First Aid training takes place. Mental health ailments like depression, anxiety, and stress are on the rise and affect millions across the globe. Mental illness, in the past, has remained a closet issue or been hidden, so much so that many individuals lack the aid they require in times of need.
Within the context of Workplace Health and Safety or WHS training, it’s particularly important for companies to offer mental health assistance as well as physical safety. MHFA training in this regard is being seen more and more as a foundation piece of a holistic safety program. Now, let’s explore the five key actions of Mental Health First Aid.
1. Assess for Risk of Suicide or Harm
The first step of MHFA is to determine if the person is suicidal or a risk to themselves. This can be daunting if one is not trained to recognise the signs, but it is important that signs are recognised early and appropriately responded to.
How to Evaluate the Risk
When evaluating the risk of harm or suicide, observe for the following behaviours:
- Saying things such as hopelessness or worthlessness
- Discussing harming themselves or suicide
- Withdrawal from social activities or from loved ones
- Donating personal items
- Sudden mood swings or extreme emotional distress
Responding Effectively
After you’ve determined the risk, you need to act quickly. Mental Health First Aid training helps you prepare to ask open but non-judgmental questions like:
- “Have you had thoughts of harming yourself?”
- “Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?”
If the person indicates thinking about self-harm or suicide, it is necessary to:
- Remain calm and listen carefully.
- Urge them to get professional assistance, e.g., call a mental health practitioner or a helpline.
- Make sure they are not left alone in case of an emergency.
- Call emergency services if necessary.
2. Listen Non-Judgmentally
One of the strongest weapons in mental health assistance is merely providing a kind, non-judgmental ear. This second step prompts the helper to listen actively and be empathetic without offering unwanted advice or judging. Listening is a foundation of MHFA or WHS training, particularly when someone is struggling with mental health.
Key Principles of Non-Judgmental Listening
- Don’t give solutions right away: Rather than moving immediately to advice-giving, allow the person to share their feelings and concerns.
- Be empathetic: Communicate understanding and compassion using your body language and words.
- Validate emotions: Accept their feelings, even if you don’t get what they’re going through.
Why This Matters
By not judging, you provide a secure environment for the person to be open. This can minimise feelings of loneliness and make the person feel supported. It can also make them more likely to accept professional assistance, as they will feel more at ease seeking additional help.
3. Offer Support and Information
Another important element of MHFA is offering the correct type of support and information. Once you have identified that an individual is in mental distress, you need to be aware of how to refer them to the help they require to recover.
How to Provide Support
- Encourage professional assistance: Suggest to the person that they consult a mental health expert, be it a counsellor, therapist, or physician, in a respectful manner.
- Provide information: Give them resources such as contact information for mental health services, support groups, or helplines.
- Offer continued support: Let them know that you’re there for them, whether it’s through regular check-ins or being available to talk.
Key Points of Offering Support
- Don’t try to solve their problems for them, but help them understand that professional support can make a difference.
- Be patient and tolerant if they resist at first—urge them without being pushy.
- Respect their independence, yet provide ongoing support as they make choices.
Offering support and providing information can assist individuals in regaining a sense of control over their mental health and facilitate their ability to access the help they require. Your job is not to be a therapist, but to point them in the direction of the proper resources.
4. Promote Appropriate Professional Assistance
Although MHFA training does not qualify you as a mental health professional, one of the most important things is to encourage the individual to seek professional assistance when needed. Knowing when a person needs additional help is vital to their well-being.
Determining When to Seek Professional Assistance
Some indications that professional assistance may be required include:
- Recurring feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness.
- Inability to handle everyday responsibilities because of mental health issues.
- Increased use of substances or other destructive tendencies.
- Severe interference in their relationships, work, or school performance.
How to Encourage Professional Help
- Be non-judgmental: Politely indicate that professional help may provide them with more tools to cope with their mental health.
- Normalise seeking help: Let them know that visiting a therapist, counsellor, or psychiatrist is a normal and significant step in coping with mental health.
- Offer support in locating resources: If the individual does not know where to go, be willing to help look into alternatives for professional treatment.
5. Follow Up and Check In
The last step in MHFA is checking in with the person. Mental health emergencies do not get solved within one interaction. Staying in touch with them once the initial intervention has been done can give them constant support and make sure that they are on the right track toward healing.
How to Check In
- Choose a specific time to follow up, whether within a few days or a week.
- Be regular in your follow-up, since this reminds them that you’re interested in how they’re doing.
- Ask open-ended questions such as, “How have things been going with you since the last time we spoke?”
Advantages of Follow-Up
- It shows ongoing care and concern, which can be comforting to a person in need.
- It permits you to keep an eye on progress and to see if there’s a need for further intervention.
- It reduces the sense of isolation, something people with mental illness often feel.
Checking in with a person who is struggling with mental health issues demonstrates that you care about their recovery. It offers ongoing support and ensures that they do not feel abandoned during their moment of need.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Through MHFA Training
The five steps of Mental Health First Aid are the building blocks for anyone wishing to give good support in a mental health crisis. Though it’s not a replacement for professional treatment, MHFA training prepares people to be ready, assured, and empathetic in dealing with mental health emergencies.
If you want to find out more about how MHFA training can serve you or the community, you can find all sorts of materials and courses covering MHFA training in Brisbane. By taking these skills onboard, you are not only serving others but supporting a mentally healthier community.
