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February 14, 2023
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In the UK, 914,000 workers suffer from stress, anxiety and depression due to work pressure from 2021-22. This staggering number shows how common work-related stress is. But there is still stigma and misconceptions regarding mental health issues. As a result, people are still hesitant about expressing their true emotions. That’s why mental health first aiders have become essential in the workplace.
However, very few are aware of mental health first aiders and their role. This blog is here for those who have little to no idea about mental health first aiders. If you are one of them, stick till the end!
Table of Contents
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a compilation of our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It has an impact on our thought processes and behaviour. Our mental health also plays a part in how we deal with stress, communicate and make life choices. Therefore, having sound mental health is very important to live a balanced life. Our body goes through many changes from childhood to the rest of our lives. In the same way, our mental health also faces new challenges and obstacles. Thus, it is important to pay attention to our mental well-being.What is Mental Health First Aid?
When people face physical health problems like a heart attack or bleeding from injuries, people provide first aid support to them. It helps in preventing the situation from getting worse. In the same way, many people are many people suffering from depression, anxiety and other serious mental health problems. Mental health first aid is the initial support and attention to people facing mental health. The support you provide at the start of the problem will stop it from going downhill. According to the World Health Organisation 1 out of every 8 people face mental health problems in their lifetime. This shows that anyone from your family members to co-workers, and even you, can be affected by mental health issues. Therefore, it is very important that people learn about mental health first aid and help others around them.Who Needs Mental Health First Aid?
Anyone can face mental health problems at any time. But these problems does not occur or increase in one day. Instead, they gradually develop day by day. However, if the issues are addressed in the initial stages, it is possible to prevent them from getting more severe. The help received in the first stages is mental health first aid.
Thus, anyone who is in the beginning stage of mental illness should go for mental health first aid. It will help them recover from their issues before they get out of hand. In addition, receiving mental health first aid will allow them to gather the courage to seek professional help. That’s why people on the verge of mental disorders need MHFA.
Who are Mental Health First Aiders?
A mental health first aider is someone who is the first person people reach out to when they are struggling with mental health issues. Mental health first aider provides them with support and guidance. The aiders listen to the problems, show them respect and support and influence them to talk to a counsellor or psychologist.
Mental health first aiders are not the same as counsellors or psychologists. They are just the first responders and are not qualified to treat the problems.
How do I Become a Mental Health First Aider?
In order to become a mental health first aider, you will require some fundamental training. You can take either online or offline MHFA courses.
If you opt for an online course. The Mental Health First Aid course by One Education is your ideal choice. In this course, you will be able you develop a clear understanding of mental health disorders. In addition, it will equip you with the core skills to address these illnesses. After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of achievement. This certificate will help you prove your competence in this area.
Mental Health First Aid
When you study with us, you’ll rapidly gain the knowledge to identify significant neurological disorders and illnesses.
Mental Health First Aid
When you study with us, you’ll rapidly gain the knowledge to identify significant neurological disorders and illnesses.
What’s the Role of a Mental Health First Aider in the Workplace?
Mental health first aid responsibilities are not the same as psychologists or mental health counsellors. The core responsibilities of a first aider are –
- Identify the people who may have mental health problems
- Talking and listening to the person about their feelings without any judgement
- Identify the risk of suicide or self-harm
- Support the individual suffering from mental issues to take small recovery steps
- Convince the person to go for professional help
- Promoting a positive environment in the workplace
- Taking steps to remove the stigma and misconceptions about mental health issues in the workplace
- Maintaining the confidentiality of the person who is suffering from mental illness
Who should Enrol in a Mental Health First Aid Course?
Anyone interested to learn about mental health first aid can enrol in the courses. In addition, employees who want to become first aiders should enrol in MHFA courses. Without formal training, they will not be able to carry out their responsibilities.
In addition, if employers take these courses, they will be able to understand their employees better. Not only that, it will help them become more compassionate and supportive towards their workers.
Besides, the companies should provide MHFA training to all of their employees. It will help the workers manage their stress and work more efficiently. This will also make rhythm feel secure in their workplace and boost their productivity.
What do You Learn in a First Aid for Mental Health Course?
In an MHFA course, you will learn about the fundamentals of mental health first aid. The courses will provide you with an in-depth understanding of mental health issues. The courses will help you understand the roles and responsibilities of mental health first aiders. Along with that, you will develop the skills to identify and address mental health disorders. You will also learn how to deal with individuals with suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
These are the basic things you will learn in an MHFA course. However, the level of the courses will determine the lessons you will receive. With primary-level courses, you will acquire basic knowledge. The advanced-level courses will provide a more in-depth view of the disorders.
How to Promote Your Mental Health First Aid?
It is important to promote mental health first aid at your workplace. There are many ways you can encourage employees to seek MHFA when they are having a low time. Such as, you can send monthly emails, official bulletins, and newsletters regarding mental health first aid. You should also inform them about the company’s mental health services.
In order to promote MHFA in your organisation, you can arrange different training sessions. Also, conduct workshops on the importance of mental health first aid. This will help the employees understand the significance of MHFA. Besides, it will encourage them to reach out for help.
When new employees join, make sure to introduce them to mental health first aider. Along with that, make sure everyone has the essential details of an appointed first aider. For example, their name, number, where they sit etc.
How to Use Mental Health First Aid?
Providing mental health first aid requires training. However, even without the training, you can use some MHFA techniques to help out your co-workers. Here is how you can use mental health first aid.
Learn the Signs
Some signs and symptoms can help you identify people who are going through or are at risk of mental health problems. These signs include –
- Frequent and extreme mood changes
- Unusual thoughts
- Agitated and disoriented
- Low productivity
- Facing difficulties in focusing
- Emotional meltdowns
- Hallucinations
- Eating too much or too less
- Sleep problems
- Being quiet
- Not paying attention to basic self-care like personal hygiene or appearance
Approach Them
After you have identified the signs, the next step is to approach them. You should keep some factors in mind when you do that.
- Allow the person the chance to talk to you. However, they might now open up. In that case, you should be honest and openly ask them.
- When you approach the individual, make sure there is no one to interrupt. Also, the space is comfortable and secure.
- In your statements, use your own perspective. For example, “I have noticed, or I think”
- Make them understand that you are concerned about them and want to help out.
- If they are unwilling to talk to you, encourage them to open up to someone else. Someone who they trust.
Support Them
After they have spoken about their problem, you should support them.
- Talk to them in a way that makes them feel that you are listening and you understand
- Never blame them for their situation
- Provide consistent emotional support
- Encourage them to talk to a professional
- Make them feel hopeful about their recovery
Know What to Avoid
There are some things you need to avoid when you are talking to mentally vulnerable individuals.
- Never tell them to get over it or to brush it off
- Don’t be mean or sarcastic
- Don’t say anything that will belittle their problems or feelings
- Make sure not to get patronised or over-involved
How to Improve Your Knowledge of Mental Health First Aid?
There are many ways you can enrich your knowledge of mental health first aid. You will find many blogs, videos and books on mental health and mental health first aid. These will help you expand your knowledge in this area.
There are mental health first aid training available both online and offline. You can enrol on these courses. From the courses, you will receive professional training and be able to grasp an in-depth understanding of mental health first aid.
Where to Get Help?
There are many ways people can seek mental health support in the UK.
- You can reach out to the local NHS urgent mental health helpline for professional help
- Call 111 if you want advice or want a GP appointment
- If you feel like talking to someone, call 116 123 and talk to Samaritans
What are the Benefits of Having a Mental Health First Aider in the Workplace?
Work-related stress is one of the main causes of stress seen in adults. This stress can create immense pressure on a person and cause burnout. A mental health first aider can help them prevent this burnout. Along with that, there are other important benefits of having mental health first aiders in the workplace. For example,
- First aider can identify the early signs and help in early recovery
- It will help create mental health awareness
- Having a mental health first aider will erase the misconceptions about mental health
- It will create a safe and friendly work environment
How to Promote Mental Health in the Workplace?
Creating a workplace that promotes mental well-being is very important. For both employees and employers. In addition to ensuring a mental health first aider, there are many ways to promote mental well-being in the workplace. Here are some effective tips to promote mental health in the workplace –
- Nature is a great medicine for stress and anxiety. Hence, bring nature inside the office by adding plants. Encourage the employees to look after the plants. This will uplift their mood.
- Overwork is the main reason for stress and burnout. Therefore, give the workers the flexibility to take breaks. Small breaks can help their brain function better.
- Yoga, meditation, sports and even walking can reduce stress. Encourage the employees to partake in these types of activities. You can do it through email, noticeboard, newsletter etc.
- Too much of anything is not healthy. That’s why never normalise overworking in the workplace, as it will cause burnout.
What does a Mental Health First Aider do?
The mental health first aider is the first point of contact for the person going through a mental health issue. The mental health first aid workers are responsible for supporting the individual. They also provide them with guidance. In addition, they are responsible for listening to the problem their co-workers are facing. And encouraging them to seek professional help.
In addition, their duty includes creating awareness about mental health and removing the stigma around it. However, mental health first aiders are not capable of providing counselling or medication. It does not fall under their duty to provide the treatment; instead, they are just for the initial support.
How to Record an Incident?
Along with supporting co-workers, it is also important to keep records of the incidents. There are incident forms that can help to keep records. These will also track the progression of the suffering individuals. Every time an incident occurs, the MHFA should immediately fill out the form with vital information about the incident. This way, it will not only help in keeping records but also allow the first aider to understand the conditions of the individuals better.
Should a Mental Health First Aider in the Workplace be Mandatory?
For overall well-being, people require attention to both mental and physical health. Therefore, employers should provide not only physical first aider in the workplace but also mental health first aider. Having a mental health first aider may not be a legal requirement. However, to ensure the well-being of the workers, every organisation should have a mental health first aider.
Why Should Mental Health First Aiders be Mandatory?
There are many reasons for making mental health first aiders mandatory in the workplace. First of all, a healthy workforce is a productive workforce. Workers suffering from mental health issues can not concentrate on their work and will struggle to complete their responsibilities. But a mental health first aider can help them get back on track.
Secondly, if there is a mental first aider in the workplace, the employees will feel that they are valued. They will understand that their overall well-being is important to the company. As a result, the employees will be motivated to work for the company. Also, it will increase their loyalty to the company.
Last but not least, being compassionate to others’ problems fall under basic humanity. As human beings, we should try to help others, especially those around us. It will create a positive work environment and strengthen the relationship within the organisation.
Why Should People See Mental Health as Equal to Physical Health?
When both our body and mind function properly, that is when we are able to live a fulfilled life. You can not pay attention to one part and leave another. Just like your physical health, your mental health requires care and attention. Many people suffer from deadly diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and more. These illnesses can take people’s lives. Likewise, suicidal thoughts and self-harming thoughts can cause death.
Along with that, your mental health greatly impacts your productivity. You can not focus on your work if you don’t have peace within. Thus, mental health problems will not only affect your personal life, but they will also affect your career as well. Hence, mental health problems should get the same attention as physical health.
Summary
Mental health problems are silent killers. They quietly consume the talent and potential of a person. Therefore, it is crucial that these issues are addressed before they spread their roots. This is where the mental health first aiders play the most significant role. They help the suffering individuals get better before the conditions get worse.
However, in order to do that, proper training hand a lot of skills is required. Without the right qualities, mental health first aiders can actually worsen the situation.
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