Mental Health First Aid

“Mental health is one of the greatest causes of sickness absence in the UK” (Stevenson/Farmer review, 2017)

“1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year – but in Wales, only 13% of these people will access treatment.” (Mind)

In 2016/17 stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 40% of all work-related ill health cases, and 49% of all working days lost due to ill health. [HSE, 2017]. By giving your colleagues the chance to talk more openly about their mental health, you are not only helping your staff and customers, but also business productivity.

Every day your staff will interact with customers, visitors, colleagues and contractors – but would they know what to do if someone was in emotional distress, or just needed someone to talk to?

Each year, one in four of us are affected by a mental health problem. Front line workers often meet people with experience of mental distress, but might lack the skills and confidence to support them appropriately.

The idea of MHFA is that people should be taught how to perform basic ‘first aid’ for those exhibiting signs of mental health distress, just as we are currently taught physical first aid.

Mental Health First Aid is for everyone. Mental Health problems are extremely common with one in four people experiencing some kind of mental health problem in any one year.

Depression, stress and anxiety for instance, are widespread problems that affect thousands of people in Wales. Despite this, people do not always feel confident to discuss mental health or to offer the initial support that people need.

Each course is run by a fully qualified mental health professional. As your local mental health charity, we support people with their mental health every day, and can provide first-hand advice and experience for your staff.

The course covers:

• How to recognise when a person might need help and the best way to approach them.
• How to save a life by learning basic suicide intervention skills.
• What protects your own and other people’s mental health.
• New skills that are useful in every part of your life
• Listen calmly to a person’s feelings and fears
• Give some simple information about mental health
• Tell someone where to get appropriate help