Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained.
The aims of Mental Health First Aid are:
•to preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
•to provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state
•to promote the recovery of good mental health
•to provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
•to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community
•to reduce stigma and discrimination
MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help.
Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour course usually delivered over 2 days. Participants receive a manual for future reference and a certificate in Mental Health First Aid.
http://mhfaengland.org.uk/find-an-instructor/north-west.html
Further information is available on request
"All the information over the two-day course was relevant & useful for the role of the Health Visitor, the assessment tools & evidence base are particulalrly useful" Health Visitor
"Denise is very knowledgeable & down to earth, did not mystify the topics discussed" Housing Suport Worker
