Scotland's Mental Health First Aid
Scotland's Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) both saves lives and improves lives. Evaluation of the original version of the course, pioneered at the Australian National University, showed that the course improved people's confidence, knowledge, ability to help others, and also reduced negative and stigmatising attitudes. After an encouraging Scottish pilot in 2004, the course has been adapted for Scotland and it is now being rolled out across the country.
Scotland's Mental Health First Aid
www.smhfa.com
What is First Aid for Mental Health?
As with first-aid for physical health, mental health first aid is based on the idea that the earlier a person can get help the better. It teaches people how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, how to help in a crisis, and to guide people towards getting assistance.
The Five Steps
The course is centred on the five 'ALGEE' steps to providing first aid for those experiencing a problem with their mental health:
- A – Assess risk of suicide or self-harm
- L – Listen non-judgmentally
- G – Give reassurance and information
- E – Encourage person to get appropriate professional help
- E – Encourage self-help strategies
Who is it for?
The course is for everyone in Scotland, whoever they are and wherever they live and work. Targets have been set for 300 instructors to be trained and 40,000 participants to have completed the 12-hour course in Scotland by 2008.
Scotland's Mental Health First Aid and the National Programme
The SMHFA training programme has a central role in meeting all of the National Programme's Key Aims. The National Programme provides funding for this work and works in partnership with NHS Health Scotland to ensure Mental Health First Aid training is available for the general public, frontline public services staff, voluntary and community groups and workplaces.
Key Contacts (non-emergency)
Kirsty Robertson
SMHFA National Coordinator
e: kirsty.robertson@health.scot.nhs.uk
Health Scotland switchboard
t: 0131 536 5500
Visit the Scotland's Mental Health First Aid website at www.smhfa.com
To find out about the succesful Scottish Pilot of Mental Health First Aid visit our Research and Evaluation section.
Find out about other training opportunities related to the National Programme...
Click here to find out how to get help now.
Real life stories of living with, recovering from and caring for people with mental illness.
Living with Bipolar Disorder (manic depression) Jemma tells it how it is. Updated weekly.
Let us know what you think of Jemma's Diary, email us at wellscotland@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Get the knowledge, take control
If you or someone you know has just been given a diagnosis of a mental illness, it can be a frightening and bewildering time.
Finding out about the illness from books, the Internet, and support groups increases our knowledge, puts us more in control and helps reduce our anxiety.
Knowing that others have faced the same problems and recovered can be a great relief. Learning how others have coped can help us to do the same.
Gathering information also allows us to explore the different treatments and therapies that are available and decide how we want to move forward.
More top tips ...
