What you learn “Mental health first aid

by Brenden Burgess

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

Be ready to support those around you by getting first care in mental health. Mental health care teach the skills necessary to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and the challenges of substance consumption, as well as the way of providing someone an initial support until they are connected to appropriate professional aid. In the course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and drug addiction problems, strategies to help a person in crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn to get help.

EN ESPAñol


Covered subjects

  • Depression and mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Trauma
  • Psychosis
  • Drug addicts

Mental health first aid teaching recovery And elasticity – The belief that individuals who experience these challenges can improve and improve and use their strengths to stay well.


The first aid action plan in mental health

Evaluate the risk of suicide or damage
When you help a person to go through a mental health crisis, it is important to seek signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, non-suicidal self-compliance or other damage. Some suicide warning signs include:

  • Threaten or kill yourself
  • Seek access to the means to injure yourself or kill yourself
  • Speak or write about death, death or suicide
  • Feel desperate
  • Act recklessly or engage in risky activities
  • Increased alcohol or drug use
  • Withdraw from family, friends or society
  • Appearing restless or angry
  • Have a dramatic mood change

Always find emergency medical aid if the person's life is in immediate danger. If you have reasons to believe that someone can be actively suicidal, call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-Talk (8255).

Listen without judgment
It may seem simple, but the ability to listen to and have a significant conversation requires skills and patience. Listening is essential to help an individual feel respected, accepted and understood. Mental first aid teaching you to use a set of verbal and non -verbal skills such as open body posture, comfortable visual contact and other strategies to initiate an appropriate conversation.
Give insurance and information
It is important to recognize that mental illnesses and dependencies are real and treatable diseases from which people can and restore. When you speak to someone who, in your opinion, may feel symptoms of a mental illness, approach conversation with respect and dignity and do not blame the individual for his symptoms. Mental health care provides information and resources that you can offer to someone to provide emotional support and practical help.
Encourage appropriate professional help
There are many professionals who can offer help when someone is in crisis or who may feel signs and symptoms of mental illness or dependence.

  • Types of professionals
    • Doctors (primary or psychiatrists) doctors)
    • Social workers, advisers and other mental health professionals
    • Certified peers specialists
  • Types of professional aid
    • Therapies “Talking”
    • Medicine
    • Other professional supporters

The mental health care course provides a variety of local and national resources to connect individuals in need.

Encourage self-assistance and other support strategies
People with mental illness can contribute to their own recovery and well-being:

  • Exercise
  • Relaxation and meditation
  • Participate in peer support groups
  • Self-assistance books based on cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Engage with family, friends, faith and other social networks

Mental health care helps you to identify potential sources of support and to practice the offer of these supporters to the person you help.

Interventions learned

When you take a course, you learn to apply the first aid action plan in mental health in a variety of situations, including when someone knows:

  • Panic crises
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Non-suicidal self-compliance
  • Acute psychosis (for example, hallucinations or delusions)
  • Overdose or withdrawal of alcohol or drug use
  • Reaction to a traumatic event

The opportunity to practice – through role -playing games, scenarios and activities – facilitates the application of these skills in a real situation.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.