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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

This 12-hour course may be conducted in a public space where other interested individuals will also be educated or, (with a qualified number of participants), classes may be conducted within your organizations’ offices.

The program does not teach people how to be therapists. It does teach people how to:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
  • Provide initial help.
  • Guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

MHFA shares the same overall purpose as traditional first aid. It aims to:

  • Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others.
  • Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state.
  • Promote the recovery of good mental health.
  • Provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem.

MHFA CANADA BASIC COURSE OUTLINE

The following mental health problems are covered:

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Substance Use Disorder

The following mental health crisis situations are covered:

  • Suicidal behaviour
  • Overdoses
  • Panic Attacks
  • Reactions to traumatic events
  • Psychotic  episodes

Session 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness

  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Common mental health problems
  • The five basic steps of mental health first aid
  • What are substance use disorders?
  • Symptoms and risk factors
  • Crisis first aid for overdose
  • Mental health first aid for substance use disorders
  • Treatment and resources

Session 2: Mood Disorders

  • What is depression?
  • Symptoms of depression
  • Risk factors for depression
  • What is bipolar disorder?
  • Symptoms  of bipolar disorder
  • Risk factors for bipolar disorder
  • Alcohol, drugs and depression
  • Suicide in Canada
  • Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour
  • Mental health first aid for mood disorders
  • Treatment and resources

Session 3: Anxiety Disorders

  • What are anxiety disorders?
  • Symptoms of anxiety disorders
  • Risk factors for anxiety disorders
  • Alcohol, drugs and anxiety disorders
  • Crisis first aid for panic attacks
  • Crisis first aid for acute stress reaction
  • Mental health first aid for anxiety disorders
  • Treatment and resources

Session 4: Psychosis

  • What are psychotic disorders?
  • Symptoms of psychotic disorders
  • Risk factors for psychosis
  • Alcohol, drugs and psychotic disorders
  • Crisis first aid for acute psychosis
  • Mental health first aid for psychosis
  • Treatment and resources
  • Other expressions of distress

Workplace First Aid includes Mental Health

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.  Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is provided until appropriate support is found or until the crisis is resolved.

Colleagues and managers are best placed  to be the first to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues in their co-workers, provided they are properly trained in Mental Health First Aid.

MHFA trained employees will help equip your organization to:

  • Recognize  and  understand  the  symptoms  of mental health problems, including those related to substance abuse
  • Provide help  to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state 
  • Promote the recovery  of good mental health by accommodating employees in distress or recovering from a crisis 
  • Increase productivity  and reduce absenteeism and overall pressure on benefits

Evidence has shown that individuals who complete the 12-hour basic course have:

  • Significantly  greater recognition  of the most common mental health  illnesses  and problems
  • Decreased social distance  from people with mental health illnesses or problems
  • Increased confidence  in providing help to others
  • Demonstrated  increase  in helpful actions

Mental Health First Aid improves all aspects of the organization

Employers who set a strategic direction for  improving mental health are rewarded with  dramatic cost and effectiveness benefits, enjoying significant and sustainable enhancements in:

Productivity: happy and psychologically healthy employees work harder and more efficiently

Recruitment and Retention: today’s top-quality employees expect a workplace that supports their personal and professional growth

Cost Savings due to Disability and Absenteeism: there is a strong link between mental health, physical well-being and injury prevention

Conflict Reduction: better mental health among employees means fewer grievances and complaints and a stronger corporate reputation

Operational Success: mentally healthy workplaces are characterized by higher levels of employee motivation, commitment, innovation and creativity, as well as fewer errors, better decision making and improved planning.