Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training equips individuals with the skills to recognize, and help someone experiencing a mental health issue, focusing on providing initial support and encouraging professional help. Mental health first aid is the assistance you offer someone who is experiencing mental health problems or having a mental health crisis. The aid is appropriate for one who has not received the basic professional treatment or the crisis persists. Mental health problems have become a widespread concern, with varying levels of severity. It significantly impacts one’s daily life activities. The profound impact of the illness triggers problems with cognition, behaviour, and emotional and interpersonal connections.
However, it is crucial to identify people suffering from the illness. It may take severe forms if it is overlooked during the initial stages. A little bit of formal or initial level diagnosis can regulate cognitive behaviour and emotions to the right path. Various anxiety-related situations or challenges in life trigger health problems or crises. While preparing for mental health issues, one can learn what comprises the aid and how it can transform one’s mental illness into positivity.
It becomes a necessity to include WHS training in MHFA to create a supportive and safe working place. Mental safety is equally critical to physical safety. It is important to allow your employees understand this integration and empower all with steps to be proactive in responding to mental illness problems.
Who Can the MHFA Aid Help With?
The assistance can benefit people who are experiencing the symptoms below at any level:
- Psychosis
- Anxiety problems
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Problems Using substance
- Problems caused by misuse of gambling
Some other instances in which people may feel:
- Panic attacks
- Traumatic events
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
- Aggressive behaviour
- Severe effect from additions
Given the current status of mental health problems in individuals in Australia, there is a need to know the importance of WHS training. It could be a positive way to curb the spread and offer some relief to the ones who are experiencing any bit of it. Before every working individual in Australia gets affected by mental illness, it is time to increase the spread of awareness.
Organisations should take necessary steps to conduct the MHFA training to help curb bullying and harassment issues. Early intervention in mental illness can help achieve better outcomes.
Understanding the Core Elements of MHFA
The first step of standard MHFA Australia is to approach the person and try to identify their level and severity of crisis and mental health issues. It needs the skill to identify the same, and this is where MHFA training comes into being.
The MHFA is a popular training program to train individuals with knowledge and skills to assist those experiencing mental health problems. Offering mental aid is similar to physical aid when the former needs professional intervention to overcome the crisis.
The aid includes the following:
Understand Mental Problems and Assist
- The person identified as suffering from the mental health issue should be comfortable speaking with
- Try to find out the signs and symptoms of common health issues such as self-harm, suicidal attempts or thoughts, and the like
- Ask the sufferer to identify the problem without getting deep into their personal space
- If the person doesn’t open up, try initiating conservation without making the other person uncomfortable
Be a Non-Judgemental Listener
Some people want others to hear about their mental agony and the reasons that lead to their state of mind. Listening may be a small task, but it has a tremendous effect on the person. Being heard can work as a relief and need skills as below:
- Gestures can be verbal and non-verbal. Give a person verbal or non-verbal cues when a person vents out their mental agony. It indicates that you are hearing the person say
- Be empathetic and non-judgemental while paying attention to what the other person has to say. Put yourself in other person’s place to better understand their life struggles that caused their mental illness
Plan of Action
Once the person feels heard, it gives them a sense of comfort and safety. Now, it will be easy to convince them to seek support or do the day the other person suggests. It can be like:
- Support Emotionally
Empathise with the person, give them hope that something good is waiting for them and try to make them feel good.
- Provide Practical Solution
An MHFA trainer should know the basic steps to offer help to an individual suffering from mental illness. In case of a panic attack, the trainer should know how to bring the sufferer to a calm place and help them to breathe. It can help one overcome a sudden anxiety attack. This is where professionals can help one coach and overcome mental health challenges.
Encourage the Person to Get Professionals Help
A professional assistant can extend help by elaborating on one’s condition and how to deal with it. Not every individual sufferer is comfortable opening up and seeking professional guidance. Still, it is necessary to communicate the importance of professional help and how it can help one overcome challenges easily.
- One has to be aware of the expertise and availability of professional help to help a person suffering from specific symptoms
- One should find how effective a treatment plan is and how it can help
If a person is aware of these, they know that they get assistance from the right professional in the field.
Besides, educate the victim with self-help techniques they can use to overcome the challenges in life. It is also about encouraging other friends and family of the victim to encourage and support them. Communicating with others can resolve such issues and show them positivity in life. This is what standard MHFA Australia suggest, and professional MHFA training helps one learn the techniques to help one overcome a crisis.
Introducing Training Course For Organisations
WHS and Training Compliance Solutions Pty Ltd: As part of the MHFA, it is important to introduce training programs for workplaces and managers. It is one of the best ways to spread quick awareness, making a place safe and productive. Make your employees free from situations of harassment and incorporate a solid MHFA action plan for a happy and healthy tomorrow. The correct training program can help one with the best techniques of mental health first aid. By increasing mental awareness, employers can boost the well-being of employees, which is a priority of most organisations.
