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Mental Health First Aid Training
Who
should attend?
MHFA
(Wales)
is for everybody
It is particularly relevant
for those who are likely to come into
contact with those at
risk of experiencing mental distress such
as police, nurses,
community workers, employment agency
staff and family members.
Quotes from
participants:
“I am definitely
more aware of mental health issues and think I would be better able to
recognise if someone is suffering from a specific type of mental health
problem.”
“Before the training
I would never have known someone was feeling suicidal or how to help them.
I think I would now be able to recognise if someone was feeling that way
and be able to provide them with support…even if it is just talking to
them.”
Course
programme
The 12 Hour course
covers a number of topics including:
• what is meant by mental
health/mental ill health
• the signs and
symptoms of common mental health problems
including depression, anxiety disorders
and psychosis
• the range of
effective interventions and treatments
• how
to access help and support.
The course delivery is very flexible and may be delivered over
2 full days or spread out over a maximum of 4 sessions over 4 days.
Participants will receive a certificate of attendance and a copy of the
MHFA (Wales)
Manual, which covers the course content.
You can learn to
help someone who is developing mental health problems, or is experiencing a
mental health crisis.
“I was very impressed
by the idea, content and potential outcomes of the course. I believe that the idea
and content smashes right through the barrier of people not being sure what
to say or do when confronting distress and gives them skills, knowledge and
Information to do something to help.”
Instructor (Scotland)
Why train in Mental Health First Aid
There are many reasons why people might want to train in
Mental Health First Aid MHFA (Wales):
- Mental health problems are
common, especially depression, anxiety and misuse of alcohol and other
drugs. One person in four will experience some form of problem with
their mental health in the course of a year.
- There is a stigma associated
with mental health problems. This may hinder people from seeking help.
People are often ashamed to discuss mental health problems with
family, friends and work
colleagues. They may also be reluctant to seek help and support
for such problems because of their concerns about what others will
think of them.
- Many people are not well
informed. Understanding how to recognise mental health problems and
what effective treatments are available is not widespread. With
greater community awareness, people will be able to recognise their
own and others’ problems and feel more comfortable about seeking
assistance.
- Help is not always on hand.
GPs, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists can all assist
people with mental health problems. However, just as with accidents
and medical emergencies, such assistance is not always available when
a problem first arises. This is when members of the public can offer
immediate aid and support the person to get appropriate help.
- People may lack the insight
to realise they need help or that help is available. Some mental
health problems cloud clear thinking and good decision-making. A
person experiencing such problems may not realise that they need help,
or that effective help is available for them. They may be in such a
state of distress that they are unable to think clearly about what
they should do. Members of the general public often do not know how to
respond. In a mental health crisis situation, the helper’s actions may
determine how quickly the person with the problem gets help and/or
recovers. In MHFA (Wales),
they learn an approach to help to be calm and confident and to respond
in an appropriate way to give the best help.
To find out more
contact
Dru Phillimore
Qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor
63 Nolton Street, Bridgend CF31 3AE
Tel: 01656 651450
Email: dru.phillimore@mhmwales.org
 
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