In the UK, mental health issues are on the rise, yet access to immediate support remains a challenge. While awareness is growing, there is still a critical need for individuals to be trained in mental health first aid courses to provide essential support within their communities. Ideally, at least one in fifteen people should have the skills to identify and respond to mental health challenges, ensuring early intervention before a crisis escalates.
This need is particularly evident in the Midlands and other regions where access to professional mental health services can be limited. However, mental health first aider training equips individuals. Whether educators, healthcare workers, employees, or concerned community members-with the necessary knowledge to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental distress and provide primary-level assistance.
By completing mental health first aid courses, participants can help bridge the gap in mental health support, offering guidance and reassurance to those in need. Just as physical first aid prepares individuals to act in emergencies, mental health first aid training empowers people to intervene effectively before a crisis develops, ultimately fostering a more supportive and resilient society across the UK.
The population is soaring at an unprecedented rate and so is mental health illness, research states that one in two individuals will suffer from mental health disorders which puts a lot of stress on the existing mental health facilities. This provides an unmistakable need for mental health support globally.
The world’s situation is worrying judging from the statistics above. Almost a billion people, 970 million to be precise, were living with some mental disorder in 2019. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders grew by 26% and 28%, respectively, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The numbers are astonishing. The World Health Organization estimates that 301 million people suffer from anxiety disorders, out of which 58 million are children and teenagers. Moreover, 280 million people are depressed around the globe.
Mental health issues have the potential to seriously disrupt society, touching families, places of work, and entire communities. Among others, the detrimental effects of mental health well-being are felt across relationships with children, spouses, other family members, and even friends and co-workers. The financial aspect is quite disturbing as well – mental impairments may cost the global economy USD 16.00 trillion by 2030.
The same is true from the viewpoint of educational achievement. Mental health affects a child’s ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with teachers and focus. Therefore, the emotional disturbance category has a suspension rate as high as 64%. And these issues are not only experienced by students but also in the working environment, which leads to high rates of decreased productivity and increased absenteeism.
The treatment gap remains alarmingly wide – over two-thirds of people with mental health conditions don’t receive the care they need. Primarily, this gap exists due to limited resources, insufficient trained health workers, and persistent social stigma.
Mental health first aid training becomes crucial as health systems struggle to meet growing demands. Currently, there are 340 people for every 1 mental health provider in the U.S.. Furthermore, cost remains a significant barrier, with 1 in 4 adults experiencing frequent mental distress unable to see a doctor due to financial constraints.
The widespread impact of mental health issues, coupled with limited professional resources, underscores why mental health first aid skills are essential for everyone. These skills enable early intervention and support, creating a vital bridge between those struggling and professional help.
Mental health first aid courses provide essential skills through structured training that teaches participants to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. These comprehensive courses, typically spanning eight hours, equip individuals with practical tools to support those experiencing mental health difficulties.
The course primarily focuses on common mental health disorders that affect millions globally. Participants learn to identify signs of depression, characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities. Additionally, they study anxiety disorders, which include generalized anxiety, social phobias, and panic disorders.
The training essentially covers bipolar disorder, marked by alternating periods of depression and mania, along with schizophrenia, which involves significant changes in perception and behavior.
At the core of mental health first aid lies the ALGEE action plan
– Assess for risk of suicide or harm
– Listen non judgmentally
– Give reassurance and information
– Encourage appropriate professional help
– Encourage self-help and other support strategies
This framework undoubtedly helps first aiders manage various crisis situations, from panic attacks to suicidal thoughts. Rather than attempting to solve complex problems, the focus remains on providing immediate support until professional help becomes available.
Mental health first aid training focuses on three aspects: risk assessment, de-escalation, and safety prevention planning. People are trained on risk assessment, identifying potential suicidal thoughts by evaluating the subject in a comprehensive manner.
First aiders use a structured approach to identify warning signs of suicide. Research shows suicidal individuals facing risk assessment isn’t always good. However, it does open up lines for crucial communication. A comprehensive risk assessment involves looking into multiple components such as designed plans, accessibility to tools needed, and previous attempts.
Mental health first aiders focus on gathering crucial information about current thoughts, plans of the individual, access to means, previous rehearsals, and support systems surrounding them.
The C.A.F. (Calm-Assess-Facilitate) where first aiders initially assess, and engage with the agitated individual is one of the techniques of Crisis Intervention. First responders are trained to use a calm, monotone voice while maintaining a determined distance of 5-6 feet.
Successful de-escalation relies on effectively empathizing and non-judgmentally engaging with the subject. First responders are taught to maintain calm and open body language neutral to confrontational gestures. Surely, less authoritative tactics work better in such situations.
A safety plan serves as a prioritized written list of coping strategies and sources of support. The development process involves six essential steps
– Identifying personal warning signs
– Listing internal coping strategies
– Documenting social contacts for distraction
– Recording names of people who can help during crisis
– Noting professional support contacts
– Making the environment safe by limiting access to lethal means
First aiders learn to collaborate with individuals in creating these plans, ensuring they’re written in the person’s own words and kept easily accessible. Subsequently, they help evaluate potential barriers to using the plan and problem-solve solutions.
