Does Mental Health First Aid Save Lives?

Mental health first aid is becoming more popular with the rise of mental health awareness. It’s a great resource that provides people the initial care and support they need to help them get the mental health treatment they need.

Mental health first aid is known to help save lives. This is due to how efficiently struggling individuals can be recognized and receive the help they desperately require. From anxiety and depression to substance abuse, mental health first aid responders are able to help in a variety of situations.

Having trained individuals who are able to recognize someone who is struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues is very proactive method of spreading awareness. Depending on where you live, you may have free access to mental health first aid courses.

If you’d like to learn more about mental health first aid, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll also discuss why it is important, how effective it is, benefits of mental health first aid, how to receive training and more.

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What is Mental Health First Aid and why is it Important?

Mental health first aid is a specialized training course for how to recognize and respond to someone who is experiencing mental health issues or substance abuse.

The course goes through what signs to watch out for as well as risk factors involved in various situations. Someone who is has received this training will be able to help someone struggling with a variety of issues. This includes (but not limited to) depression, substance abuse and psychosis.

Knowing how to effectively approach and handle a situation like this is very important. The situation has the potential to be dangerous depending on what the struggling individual is going through. Not everyone who is approached and offered help wants it.

The MHFA expert needs to be able to tell if they’re putting themselves in a dangerous situation or not.

During the mental health first aid training, individuals learn the ALGEE action plan.

This approach consists of the top tips on how to handle a situation when an individual in need has been identified. The following graphic outlines this recommended approach.

Mental health first aid is important because many people struggle with mental health issues and may not get the help they need until harm has been caused or worse.

Mental health first aid can train individuals to be aware of a variety of issues that people struggle with.

They may even intervene with those who are about to cause themselves harm or attempt suicide. Often, those who are suicide are so due to an overwhelming sense of loneliness and/or hopelessness. Offering compassion and encouragement can be the difference between someone choosing to take their own life or not.

Is Mental Health First Aid Effective?

It’s safe to say that mental health first aid is effective. MHFA helps individuals in daily mental health situations (anxiety, depression, etc.) or who are potentially suicidal. Also, individuals who are trained to recognize a variety of situations, can identify if someone is abusing drugs or alcohol.

Trained individuals can effectively support those needing assistance with their addictions. By showing support and understanding, helpful resources and suggestions for treatment can be offered.

Many people receive help and start their recovery journey toward a better life much sooner than they may have if help was not received. Offering support and resources can forever change an individual’s life for the better if they chose to receive it.

Mental health first aid is so effective that it is becoming more popular and encouraged for workplaces to offer to their employees.

What are the Benefits of Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health effects every aspect of our lives. Here are a few top benefits of mental health first aid between our work, personal and social lives.

A Better Work Environment

Some workplaces are more aware of mental health first aid than others. Those who are aware, understand the importance of maintaining good mental health in the workplace.

This is beneficial as it drives productivity and efficiency. When employees feel supported and mentally/emotionally healthy, they will be able to perform at their best.

Employees who’s mental health is neglected and not supported will experience burn out. Dissatisfaction in their work, a lack of inclusion might also be experienced and they may even blame their job for their unhappiness in some cases.

It’s hard to be in a professional work environment while struggling with a mental health issue. The need to maintain professionalism can make someone who is struggling feel secluded and misunderstood.

Implementing mental health first aid in the workplace is also important for bringing awareness. Encouraging normalcy to a variety of mental health topics goes a long way.

It seems like workplaces are just starting to acknowledge mental health in general which is great. However, implementing training for mental health first aid will bring even more awareness in this area.

Better Relationships

Better relationships start with you. Always. The happier and more sound your mind is, the more empowered you feel to express yourself in a healthy way.

Communication is so important in any type of relationship. Having the mental and emotional capacity relay your thoughts and feelings is so important. In an intimate relationship, you and your partner will experience a deeper connection.

In other relationships with friends and family, you might experience more enjoyment and the ability to be present with them.

Increased Productivity

When someone is experiencing a mental health issue/crisis, it’s helpful to be aware of mental health first aid. This will ease the intensity of the experience and work toward recovery.

Having mental or emotional health issues is something that all of us will experience at one time point or another. If you live with a mental health disorder you know how intrusive it can be to your daily life at times.

Being focused and productive during the day is a great benefit of implementing mental health practices into your life.

Even if you’re not experiencing a crisis and require mental health first aid, practicing self-awareness and good mental health care will help achieve daily satisfaction due to improved (or ongoing) productivity.

Higher Quality of Life

Mental health first aid offers people the opportunity to achieve a higher quality of life. Depending on what their particular situation may be, receiving mental health first aid will result in suggestions and support on where to go to receive appropriate help.

Achieving a higher quality of life through therapy, rehabilitation, medication and self-care practices is possible when the individual is ready to improve their current state.

However, you don’t have to be struggling with a chronic mental health condition or substance abuse issue to achieve this. Daily awareness and practices will help you achieve the emotional and mental state you desire. This will support your overall quality of life.

The Ability to Connect with Others

Mental health first aid allows the giver and the receiver a chance to connect with people they might not otherwise have gotten to.

Not only will the giver of the first aid be able to strengthen their sense of connection while helping someone receive care, but the receiver will as well. Also, when mental health support is received, the individual who received it, will be able to experience a better sense of connection to others.

This is because mental health issues often cloud our experience and make us feel separated and alone. Once treatment and support are implemented, individuals will be able to emotionally connect to people and situations that they may have had trouble connecting to prior to treatment/recovery.

An Improved Sense of Self

Not only will receiving mental health first aid help someone feel empowered and in control of their life, but they will acquire an improved sense of self.

This is because when you’re more proactive about your well-being, you learn what you need to be well. Listening to your body and what you “gut” says guides us to a healthier state of mind and body.

Also, when you are trained to give someone else mental health first aid, you will automatically be more aware of your own needs in this area. Being able to spot the signs of mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression can help you get ahead of it.

This is speed up your recovery time and will help eliminate some of the intensity of it.

Reduces Self-Harm

The more people receive training, the more mental health first aid will be discussed. People are starting to realize that mental health issues do not mean you’re “crazy”.

And they certainly are not unusual. Bringing more awareness through mental health first aid will significantly reduce self harm with those silently suffering with a mental or emotional health issue. Being aware of one’s options can avoid unnecessary pain, suffering and will result in faster recovery and a larger sense of support.

When people are aware of the support that is available to them, they might be less likely to engage in self-harm as a temporary solution to their pain.

How many people have been trained in mental health first aid?

In the United States, more than 2.5 million people have been train to respond with mental health first aid. Each year more people and organizations are realizing the benefits of offering this training for themselves and their staff. Nearly anyone can be trained!

It’s not just for people in public authority or those who work in the mental health field. Imagine how much safer our communities will be when mental health first aid is more openly discussed and and millions more receive training.

If receiving training to administer mental health first aid is something that interests you, check out details and sign up HERE today!

About taking a Mental Health First Aid class

Taking a mental health first aid course may vary depending on where you are. Some are in person and are done 100% online. Visit this page on mentalhealthfirstaid.org to search for mental health first aid courses in your area and sign up for training. In the course individuals will learn all about the following.

• Depression and mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Trauma
• Psychosis
• Substance Use disorders

They will learn how to use the action plan mentioned above (ALGEE) to response to situations which include and relate to suicide, self harm. panic attacks, drug/alcohol overdose, psychosis, and those who have experienced a traumatic event.

Situations involving psychosis include instances such as hallucinations and delusions. Learn more about that in this article on What Drugs can Cause Psychosis: 7 Types.

In conclusion, mental health first aid is an extremely important program that saves and changes lives each year. It’s important to recognize the signs of someone in need of help and to be able to assist in some way.

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Related to this, having your own mental health crisis plan is a good practice as well. Especially if you (or someone you know) struggles with a mental or emotional disorder. Check out THIS ARTICLE to learn more about what a mental health crisis plan is and create one today!

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