Mental health is just as important as physical health. But when it comes to recognising and responding to mental health issues, many people don't know where to start.
That's where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) comes in.
In this blog post, we'll explore what MHFA is, why it's important, and why you should consider becoming an MHFAider® with Blooming Mind.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
MHFA is a course that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of poor mental health including when in crisis. The program was developed in Australia in 2001 and has since spread to over 25 countries!
It's designed to help people provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or experiencing poor mental health.
MHFA is based on the idea that just as CPR can help save lives in a medical emergency, MHFA can help save lives in a mental health emergency. The program teaches a five-step action plan that involves assessing risk, listening non-judgmentally, giving support and information, encouraging appropriate professional help, and encouraging self-help and other support strategies.
Why is Mental Health First Aid important?
Mental health problems are common. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people across the world will be affected by poor mental health each year. Three in four of us over the course of our lifetime. Yet despite the prevalence of these issues, there is often a stigma attached to mental illness that can prevent people from seeking help.
MHFA can help break down that stigma by increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues. It can also help people feel more confident in recognising and responding to signs of poor mental health. By providing early intervention and support, an MHFAider® can potentially prevent a crisis from escalating and help people get the help they need sooner.
Why you should consider taking a course with Blooming Mind
Experienced trainers: Our trainers are highly experienced and qualified professionals who are passionate about promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Engaging and interactive learning: Our courses are designed to be engaging, interactive, and enjoyable. We use a variety of teaching methods, including videos, case studies, activities and group discussions, to make the learning experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible.
Practical skills and knowledge: Our courses provide practical skills and knowledge that you can apply in real-life situations. You'll learn how to identify and respond to a range of mental health issues and crises, and you'll develop the confidence and skills to help others.
Ongoing support: We provide ongoing support to our course participants, including access to resources and materials, networking opportunities, and follow-up sessions.
Here's what our learners said...
"This is a great course for anyone to do, it gives so much insight and knowledge that will literally help anyone working in any field."
"Fantastically delivered and very informative and relevant."
"Holly is a fabulous instructor she is professional, knowledgeable, approachable and open to discussions. During the course Holly made me feel at ease to question anything Holly is obviously highly knowledgeable and well informed on mental health topics, the way she approaches and presents mental health training is in an easy digestible form. I would definitely recommend this course to others."
"Holly and the material within this course has changed how I think about MH in the workplace and also my own MH and self-care."
"Holly delivered the course incredibly well and made it a great 2 days of learning. The mix of knowledge and practical based work ensured anything we learned could be put into practice."
"Big shout out to Holly Clark who conducted the course which was top notch.I'd recommend all managers in particular to do this course"
"The Instructor Holly was passionate about the topics and it really showed. The course covered a lot, but needed to and was the right amount of time with a good mix of practical and classroom activities. I really enjoyed it and hope I can make a difference."
So, if you're interested in learning more about mental health first aid and how you can help promote mental health and wellbeing, why not sign up for our next course? You'll gain valuable skills and knowledge, meet like-minded people, and make a positive impact in your workplace and communities.
We can deliver in your workplace across England or online.
We also have a couple of open courses each year for smaller organisations and individuals to attend the training. To see our next open course dates click on the link below.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post about Mental Health First Aid and why it's so important.
At Blooming Mind, we're committed to promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and we hope that this post has given you some valuable insights and information.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your workplace mental health and wellbeing needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We offer a range of training programs and services that can help.
Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health, and we all have a role to play in promoting it. By working together, we can create a healthier, happier, and more productive workplace for everyone. So let's start the conversation today and take action to support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Holly x