Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help.
One in four British adults will experience at least one diagnosable Mental Health problem in any one year. Mental Health First Aid teaches you the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given to provide comfort and preserve life until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves.
The course is an intensive 12 hours covered over two days.
Day 1 (am) |
Day 1 (pm) |
| Why Mental Health First Aid? Common mental health problems Attitudes & the SHIFT anti-stigma campaign The five steps of mental health first aid What is depression? Symptoms of depression Alcohol, drugs and depression Risk factors for depression |
Suicide in England Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour Crisis first aid for overdose First aid for depression Treatment and resources for depression |
Day 2 (am) |
Day 2 (pm) |
| What are anxiety disorders? Symptoms of anxiety disorders Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders Crisis first aid for panic attacks Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction Treatments and resources for anxiety disorders Expressions of distress and despair including self harm |
What is psychosis? Symptoms of psychosis Risk factors for psychosis Crisis first aid for acute psychosis Treatments and resources for psychosis Action planning for using MHFA |
