2 Day Mental Health First Aid Training – Approved by the PHA - Belfast

Dates:

• 14th & 21st Mar 2017

• 13th & 20th Jun 2017

• 12th and 19th Sep 2017

• 19th and 20th Nov 2017

Health Matters Mental Health First Aid is a certificated course approved by the Public Health Agency. Participants who successfully complete the course receive certification in Mental Health First Aid.

Caring for someone with a physical injury is now second nature to most people. But caring for and supporting someone in emotional distress is much more of a challenge.

With one in four of us likely to suffer from a mental health problem at some point within the next year and evidence of worsening mental health through unemployment trends and financial worries, there is a strong chance that people will increasingly encounter others in psychological pain.

Research by the Mental Health Foundation 2015 found 92% of us would stop and help someone injured in a road traffic accident, but only 51% would offer to help someone crying in public. The survey also found that a quarter of people would not know what to do or say if someone close to them at home or at work had worries about their own mental health.

In response to this situation Health Matters (Health & Safety) Ltd are now offering mental health first aid courses from their training premises in Belfast, Newry and Dublin.

This 2 day specialist course has been devised to increase the knowledge and confidence of participants to enable them to provide first aid and support for people experiencing mental health problems at home and at work.  Recognised and approved by the Public Health Agency the training educates and delivers the message that mental health problems are everybody’s business; affecting neighbours, friends, colleagues, relatives and ourselves.

The aim of the training is to assist trainees to help:-

• Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
• Provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state
• Promote recovery of good mental health
• Provide comfort to a person experiencing mental ill health 
• Raise awareness of mental health issues in the community
• Reduce stigma and discrimination

Many of those who have taken part in our MHFA programmes to date have benefited from positive changes in their knowledge, attitude and behaviour which has resulted in greater confidence in providing help to others and decreased social distance from people with mental health problems.

Our evaluation supports research that show that MHFA training increases knowledge and confidence around mental health issues, decreases stigmatising attitudes and most importantly, that trainees put their training to good effect by offering first-aid to people suffering from mental distress in workplaces, at home and in the community.

Who is this training relevant for:

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is intended for a variety of audiences. It is relevant to management and staff of all levels and disciplines and is particularly relevant for:-

• Human Resource Professionals
• Primary Healthcare Staff,
• Police and Prison Staff
• School and College Personnel, Community Groups
• Religious Groups
• Any individual wishing to increase their knowledge of mental illness including family members.

Course Content

Session 1

• Why mental health first aid?
• Mental health revelation and policy
• Common mental health problems
• Attitude, beliefs and stigma

The five steps of mental health first aid

1. assessing risk of suicide or self-harm
2. listening non-judgementally
3.  giving reassurance and information
4. encouraging the person to get appropriate professional help whilstencouraging self-help strategies.

Session 2

1. Suicide in Northern Ireland
2. Crisis first aid for suicidal behaviour
3. Self-harm awareness
4. Symptoms of depression
5. Awareness of  Bi Polar disorder
6. Treatment and resources for depression 

Session 3

• What are anxiety disorders (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?
• Symptoms of anxiety disorders
• Crisis first aid for panic attacks
• Treatment and resources for anxiety disorders
• Introduction to psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and risk factors
• Treatment and resources

Session 4

• Introduction to substance use disorders (alcohol, drugs) and risk factors
• Treatment and resources for substance use disorders
• Other factors that impact on mental health
• Treatment and resources

Duration of course: 2 Days

This programme of training also includes an information session by an Occupational Heath Advisor on the legal framework for management of stressors in the workplace in line with current legislation and best practice requirements

A variety of presentation formats are used: verbal presentation supported by Powerpoint slides, audio recordings, group tasks, feedback and video presentation.          

Venue: Our premises Belfast, Newry and Dublin or client premises

www.healthmattersni.com