Why You Should Learn Mental Health First Aid

 Mental Health First Aid is an invaluable resource that can have a positive impact on many people’s lives. Every year, 1 in 5 adults will experience some sort of mental illness issue, and that’s just in the United States alone. Knowing how to deal with these challenges can make a potentially life-saving difference in someone’s life.

But what exactly does MHFA training involve, and how does one become certified? In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about it so you can start making a difference today!

What Is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid, also known as MHFA, gives people the tools and knowledge to help others who may be suffering from mental health issues. Being MHFA trained does not allow you to diagnose or treat issues, although it does teach you how to provide support and deal with crises.

Unlike traditional first aid, which deals with physical traumas, MHFA can help with conditions like anxiety and depression. It also teaches people how to react in more urgent situations, whether it’s a panic attack or suicidal ideation.

Why Is Mental Health First Aid Important?

MHFA is important because it allows you to help those who may be in urgent need of assistance. There are various types of mental health disorders, each one requiring a different knowledge of support. Knowing how to deal with people and their specific situations can make a life-saving difference.

Once you are trained in MHFA, here are some of the ways you’ll be able to assist others:

• Increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues
• Recognize signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, and substance abuse
• Ability to approach someone in distress by listening or offering reassurance and support
• Connect them with professional help (therapy, counseling, or crisis intervention services)

How to Get Certified in Mental Health First Aid

Getting certified in MHFA is the first step to make a meaningful difference to those with mental health challenges. Training is offered by numerous organizations around the world, so you should have no problem finding a course in your area. These courses are led by certified instructors and require instruction and examination in order to pass.

While there are general MHFA courses, others may be tailored to specific groups like teens, the elderly, or people in the workplace. And some organizations, like MHFA training by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, are offered to adults as well as adolescents aged 12 to 18. After all, it’s never too early to start teaching the future generation how to deal with such issues! You never know who they will be able to help down the line.

This organization also has three different learning style options:

• In-person (7.5 hours led by a certified instructor)
• In-person Blended (a 2-hour self-paced course and a 4.5 to 5.5-hour in-person course with a certified instructor)
• Virtual Blended (a 2-hour self-paced course and a 4.5 to 5.5-hour video conference course with a certified instructor)

Besides giving you the practical skills to assist others, training can also make you a more credible mental health advocate. This can help you gain a deeper level of understanding and empathy for people and the rest of the world.

And on top of that, it can also be good for your professional development. If you work in healthcare, education, civil services, or human resources, having this knowledge can help you better deal with colleagues, patients, or those in your community. Being certified can also open up more professional opportunities, especially in the healthcare or outreach community.

What Does Mental Health First Aid Training Entail?

Although the exact curriculum depends on the organization, it will generally include a wide array of topics. First, you’ll start off by learning about mental health conditions in order to recognize symptoms. Depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders are the main ones that are taught.

Then, you’ll be trained on a step-by-step action plan for providing first aid. Many organizations reference this plan as the ALGEE model:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage professional help
• Encourage self-help and support

This way, you will equipped to respond appropriately to the person in the crisis. In order to put what you learned into practice, most courses will use role-playing. With these different activities, you can act out or learn about possible scenarios that might come up in real life.

And finally, you’ll also know how to get additional help from others. As many conditions require more attention, you can point them in the right direction when it comes to professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Mental Health First Aid Effectiveness

While MHFA can help those in need, it also has a huge benefit to those who have taken the course. Multiple studies have shown that training increases knowledge of mental health and reduces negative views of different conditions. It also gives you the confidence to help where you otherwise might not have been able to do so.

Again, it’s important to note that becoming MHFA certified does not grant you the ability to diagnose or treat mental conditions. Those are things only that professionals like counselors, therapists, and doctors can do.

Mental health is something that everyone should take seriously. And you can do your part by getting trained and certified in mental health first aid! However, getting certified isn’t just about adding something to your resume. It’s about promoting mental wellbeing and creating a supportive community where everyone can get the help they need. And because courses can be completed in just a few days, it’s a small step with a potentially huge life-saving impact.