What is Mental Health First Aid

People all around the world have always been so concerned about their physical health but, when it comes to mental health, do they truly open up? But over the past couple of decades, people brought mental health awareness to light and realised that “Mental health matters!”. 

Though the perception of mental health is on the rise, some matter is still not clear to everyone. And you may have spotted the term “Mental Health First Aid” several times but was uncertain what it means. Don’t worry! Here you will get a full specification on it. 

 

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

According to Mental Health First Aid International, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a suite of internationally acclaimed and evidence-based, accredited training programmes that empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem, or experiencing a crisis such as being suicidal.

In plain English, this training teaches you how to identify and respond accordingly to signs of mental illnesses and disorders due to substance use. It also guides you to learn the skills you need to interact and provide help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health issue or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

How It Began

The Mental Health First Aid Programme began in Australia by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm in 2000. Since 2003, this Mental Health First Aid programme has evolved into a global movement and extended to 24 countries across the world. To date, over 4 million people worldwide have received training.

Mental health first aid (MHFA) came to England in 2007 as part of a national approach to improving public mental health. It was developed and launched under the National Institute for Mental Health in England, part of the Department of Health and Social Care. They established Mental Health First Aid England as a community interest company in 2009.

How Many People Are Suffering

Since people are now so much concerned for mental health, it might be a common query to what extent people are suffering from mental illness that they are going crazy about it. Well, we live in a world where 1 in 10 people live with mental illness! Yeah, it’s true. Take a look at the aftermath of research conducted in 2017.

Global Figures (2017)

264M – Depressive Disorders affect 3.4%

46M – Bipolar Disorder affects 0.6%

284M – Anxiety Disorders affect 3.8%

20M – Schizophrenia affects 0.3%

107M – Alcohol Use Disorder affects 1.4%

71M – Drug Use Disorder affects 0.9%

16M – Eating Disorders affect 0.2%

 

The research estimates that a total of 970 million people, i.e. 13% of the global population, have a mental or substance use disorder.

Note that mental illness is widely underreported in many countries, so the actual number of people experiencing mental illness worldwide may be far greater than the numbers reported here.

Why Is MHFA Important

After knowing the global population’s size going through such distress, half of your confusion might be clear when the question is about the importance of Mental Health First Aid. Still, you may take a look at MHFA England‘s goal and learn why Mental Health First Aid is significant. 

• The vision of MHFA England is to improve the mental health of the nation.
• Their training is evidence-based, which increases people’s mental health awareness, knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Equality between mental health and physical health is one of their sole intentions.
• They want a society where everyone can thrive. 
• One of their most impressive initiatives is transforming how workplaces (ranging from local hairdressers to global corporations) think about mental health and wellbeing because most adults spend at least a third of their time at work.
• They believe that supporting children and young people’s mental health will improve the next generation’s wellbeing.
• They want their training to create a firm belief that all people can talk freely about mental health and seek support when they need it. 

Who Can Take an MHFA Course

Since there are Mental Health First Aid jobs available nowadays, some common questions may arise before taking the course or joining the team. You will get the answers to your questions below:

Who is eligible for MHFA training?

• Families affected by mental health problems, teachers, health service providers, emergency workers, frontline workers who deal with the public, volunteers, human resources professionals, employers, literally anyone can take the training. The mission of MHFA England is to train one in every ten people in the society.

What is the minimum age limit?

• The minimum age to take an MHFA course is 18.

Is it necessary to have any medical background? 

• No, it’s not necessary. People from all walks of life can participate here.

How MHFA England Works

Through training and campaigning, they equip people with the skills they need to support their own and others’ wellbeing. They offer a range of evidence-based face to face and digital learning, from mental health awareness-raising to skill development.

The MHFA England framework

Prevention

Understanding factors that can influence mental health, addressing stress, the importance of self-care, exercise, a nutritious diet and a healthy sleep routine.

Early intervention

Spotting signs of poor mental health, intervening (including in a crisis), listening and communicating non-judgmentally.

Signposting to support 

Knowing ways to access support, including counselling, therapy, peer support, self-help, medication, and getting emergency help in a crisis.

Transformation of workplace mental health

The workplace is where most adults spend the majority of their time. MHFA England starts there to change how society deals with mental health now and in the future. They provide in-house training and consultancy to organisations of all shapes and sizes.

By working with over 20,000 employers and knowing that each organisation’s culture is unique, their formula to maintaining a mentally healthy workplace is understanding its people.

Profit with pride

MHFA England is a social enterprise that makes a profit with pride. They reinvest their profits in communities to give access to quality mental health training. They show how a successful and profitable business can be happy, healthy and productive. 

Who Can Get the Benefits

This programme can benefit both individuals and organisations. As mental health is important at every stage of life, youth mental health first aid is also their priority, alongside adults. They offer their training to those who work with young people, through free courses, discounts and bursaries. Schools and colleges, universities and armed forces are getting the privilege. They also offer subsidised training to the NHS, organisations which support frontline workers, and Black-led organisations.

The UK Social Enterprise Roll of Honour 2020 has acknowledged MHFA England for its social impact supporting the nation’s mental health during the pandemic.