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Introduction

Mental Health First Aid (Wales)

 

Why train in MHFA (Wales)

  

There are many reasons why people might want to train in Mental Health First Aid (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 which 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 a state of distress and not be able 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. The Mental Health First Aid (Wales) approach trains people to be calm and confident and to respond in an appropriate way to give the best help.

 

What’s it for?

 

A 12 hour training course that improves mental health literacy and helps people to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone with mental health problems; to respond to various mental health crises, engage with, support and signpost people to appropriate help.

 

Who’s it for?

 

The programme is targeted at raising mental health literacy in the general public. Some key groups of people include people who work in the Ambulance Service, Welsh Police Forces and Prison Service, JobcentrePlus, Primary Health Care and Social Care, staff in Further and Higher Education, Support Workers in a variety of settings, voluntary and community groups, and other workplaces.

 

How much does it cost?

 

Up to £150 per person per course, depending on who delivers it and where.

 

Length

 

Four x 3-hour sessions that can be run over two or four weeks, or two days consecutively.

 

Location

 

Across Wales

 

Training in action!

 

Find out why Carol Evans, who works with VOC Mind's Rural Outreach Service, believes Mental Health First Aid (Wales) training is vital for everyone. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7371788.stm

 

Mental Health First Aid (Wales) training both saves lives and improves lives. The training course is based on work pioneered in Australia and, after an encouraging Scottish pilot in 2004, the course has been adapted for Wales and it is now being rolled out across the country.