Adult Mental Health

First Aid

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Why Mental Health First Aid?
 In 2017 the UK Government launched a campaign to train one million people in
basic mental health ‘first aid’ skills to aid mental health support in schools,
workplaces and communities across the UK. In a press release the Prime
Minister Theresa May stated:

 “I want us to employ the power of government as a force for good to transform the
Mental Health way we deal with mental health problems right across society, and at every stage of
life.”
First Aid :-
A Rationale  “This starts with ensuring that children and young people get the help and support
they need and deserve – because we know that mental illness too often starts in
childhood and that when left untreated, can blight lives, and become entrenched”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-unveils-plans-to-transform-
mental-health-support

 MHFA England is the UK accredited provider of Mental Health First Aid Training,
with the aim to improve the mental health of the nation.
 https://mhfaengland.org/

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  The PowerPoint presents a brief
overview of the training for Mental
Health First Aid as provided by MHFA
England. It outlines the areas covered
in the two-day training course for
Purpose of the members of staff who wish to become
presentation Mental Health First Aiders.
 The PowerPoint, however, is not in
itself intended as a training tool.

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 The Catholic Children’s Society provide a wide range of support
for schools in promoting positive mental health including support
for children experiencing loss.

Catholic
Children’s  ConnectEd Mental Health Services
 https://www.cathchild.org.uk/school-counselling-and-therapy/
Society –  https://www.cathchild.org.uk/connected/mental-health-training/
Mental Health  https://www.cathchild.org.uk/mental-health-first-aid/
Training
 Rainbows Bereavement Support Programme
 https://www.cathchild.org.uk/rainbows-bereavment-support-prog
ramme/

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Adult Mental Health
First Aid Manual
by MHFA England
A brief summary of content

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 Section 1 Section 2
 Mental Health First Aid  Suicide
Adult Mental  About Mental Health  Substance Abuse
Health First  Depression  Useful Statistics
Aid Manual  Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 Section 3 Section 4
 Anxiety Disorders  Psychosis
Adult Mental  Self Harm  Building a mentally healthy
community
Health First  Eating Disorders
 Useful Statistics
Aid Manual  Personality Disorders
 Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 Appendices
 Appendix A – Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
 Appendix B – Nutrition and
Adult Mental Mental Health
 Appendix C – WRAP
Health First
Aid Manual Helpful Resources

References

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 Mental Health First Aid
About Mental Health
Section 1
Depression
Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 It’s aims are to: The course teaches people:
1. Preserve life where a person
may be at risk of harm to
themselves or others.  How to spot early signs of
Section 1: 2. Provide help to prevent the
mental health issues,
including warning signs of
Mental Health mental health issue from
becoming more serious.
common mental health crises

First Aid 3. Promote recovery of good

 How to offer and provide
initial help
What is Mental 4.
mental health.
Provide comfort to a person
 How to guide a person
Health First with a mental health issue. towards appropriate
treatment and other sources
Aid? 5. Raise awareness of mental
health issues in the
of supportive help.
community
6. Reduce stigma and  It does not teach people to
discrimination provide a diagnosis or
therapy

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Mental health issues are common
Section 1:  There is stigma associated with mental ill health
Mental Health  Many people are not well informed

First Aid  Many people with mental health issues don’t get adequate
treatment or they delay accessing treatment
Why Mental  People may lack the insight to realise that they need help or that
Health First help is available
 Members of the general public often don’t know how to respond
Aid?  Mental Health First Aid has been found to be effective

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 The five basis steps: ALGEE
1. Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
Section 1: 2. Listen and communicate non-judgementally
Mental Health 3. Give support and information

First Aid Action 4. Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

Plan 5. Encourage other supports

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 It is important to care for yourself when offering help
Section 1:
Mental Health Providing Mental Health First Aid to someone from a different
cultural background
First Aid Action  Being culturally competent when providing Mental Health First
Plan - Things Aid

to bare in mind  Practising cultural safety

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  What is mental health?
 What is mental ill health?
 How common are mental illnesses?
Section 1:  The impact of mental health issues

About Mental  Spectrum of interventions for mental ill health

 Prevention
health  Early intervention
 Treatment and support
 Professionals who can help
 Recovery

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Mental Health and Age
Section 1:  Mental Health and Gender
Stigma and  Mental Health and Disability

Discrimination  Mental Health, Race and Ethnicity

– Strands of  Mental Health and Religion and Belief

 Mental Health and Sexuality
inequality  The mental health continuum

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Stress and vulnerability models
 Sources of stress
Section 1:  The Stress Vulnerability Model
 The Stress Container
What  Protective and risk factors
influences  Protective factors
 Risk factors
mental health?  Nature vs nurture
 The Frame of Reference

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Symptoms of depression

Section 1:  Effects of depression

What is  Warning signs of depression

 Physical Appearance
depression?  Attitudes and thinking
 Bipolar disorder - a particular type of depression

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Examples of risk factors
Section 1:  Those most prone to depression
Risk Factors  Perinatal Depression
for depression

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  The rationale for addressing mental health in the workplace
Section 1:  Supporting mental health in the workplace
Depression in  Possible signs and symptoms of depression in the workplace
the workplace

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Prevalence and impact of mental ill health global facts and figures
Section 1:  Prevalence and impact of mental ill health UK facts and figures
Useful  Mental health – inequality, discrimination and stigma – facts and
figures
Statistics  Depression and mood disorders – facts and figures.

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Suicide
 First aid for suicidal crisis
 First aid for depression
Section 2  Substance misuse
 Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  About Suicide
 Myths and facts about suicide

Section 2:  First Aid for depression (Using the five basics steps ALGEE)

About suicide  Wellbeing Approaches

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  First aid for suicidal crisis – The five basic steps
Section 2:  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
First aid for  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
suicidal crisis  Give support and information

(Using the five  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
 Encourage other supports
basics steps
ALGEE

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  First aid for depression – The five basic steps

Section 2:  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
 Listen and communicate non-judgementally
First Aid for  Give support and information
depression  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
(Using the five  Encourage other supports
basics steps
ALGEE)

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Connect…

Section 2:  Be Active…
 Take Notice…
First aid for  Keep Learning…
depression -  Give…
The Five Ways
to Wellbeing For more information -
https://neweconomics.org/2008/10/five-ways-to-wellbeing

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Giving – Do things for others
 Relating – Connect with people
 Exercising – Take care of your body
 Awareness – Live life mindfully
Section 2:  Trying Out – Keep learning new things
First aid for  Direction – Have goals to look forward to
depression -  Resilience – Find ways to bounce back

The 10 Keys to  Emotions – Look for what is good

Happier Living  Acceptance – Ce comfortable with who you are

 Meaning – Be part of something bigger

For more information -

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  What is substance misuse?
 Symptoms of substance misuse
 Dependence syndrome
 Harmful Use
Section 2:  Alcohol
Substance 

Short-term problems caused by alcohol intoxication
Long-term problems caused by alcohol use
Misuse  Alcohol and medication for mental health issues
 Alcohol unit guide
 Drugs

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Risk factors for alcohol misuse
 Availability and tolerance of alcohol in society

Risk factors for 
Alcohol use in the family
Social factors
substance 

Genetic disposition
Alcohol sensitivity
misuse  Enjoyment of alcohol
 Changes in brain chemistry may also play a role
 Other mental health issues

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Section 2:  First aid for substance misuse – The five basic steps
First Aid for  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
substance  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
misuse – The  Give support and information

five basic  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

 Encourage other supports
steps: ALGEE

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Suicide – UK facts and figures
 Suicide – global facts and figures
 Treatments that work for depression – facts and figures
Section 2:  Alcohol, substance use and suicide – facts and figures
Useful  Alcohol, substance use and mental health (dual diagnosis)- facts
and figures
Statistics  Alcohol use – facts and figures
 Substance use – facts and figures
 Treatment for alcohol and substance misuse – facts and figures

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Anxiety Disorders
 Self Harm
 Eating Disorders
Section 3  Personality Disorders
 Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  General symptoms of anxiety
 Physical effects
 Psychological effects
 Behavioural effects
Section 3:  The Goldberg Anxiety Scale
What is an  Types of anxiety disorders
anxiety 

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder
disorder?  Phobias
 Acute stress disorder(ASD)/Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
 Mixed anxiety and depression

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Risk factors for anxiety disorders
 Examples are:
 Genetics
 Being a more sensitive, emotional person who tends to see the world as
threatening
Section 3:  A history of marked shyness in childhood or adolescence for social anxiety
disorder
Risk Factors  Persistent stress or extreme stress

for anxiety  Adverse experiences in childhood

 Poverty, poor education and social disadvantage
disorders  Recent adverse and traumatic life events
 Having another mental health issue
 Anxiety symptoms can also result from:
 Some medical conditions
 Side effects of certain prescription drugs
 Use and misuse of alcohol or certain non-prescribed drugs (including
caffeine and nicotine)
 Withdrawal from alcohol or prescription and non-prescription drugs

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Section 3:  First aid for anxiety disorders– The five basic steps
First aid for  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
anxiety  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
disorders – The  Give support and information

five basic steps  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
 Encourage other supports
(ALGEE)

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Section 3:  What is self-harm?
Self-harm  Why do people self-harm?

What is self-  Other expressions of distress – risk taking behaviour

 Self-harm and stigma
harm?

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Section 3:  First aid for self-harm– The five basic steps
First aid for  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
self-harm– The  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
five basic steps  Give support and information

(ALGEE)  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

 Encourage other supports

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  What are eating disorders?
Section 3:  What is anorexia nervosa?
Eating  Symptoms of anorexia nervosa
 Physical health problems linked with anorexia nervosa
disorders  What is bulimia nervosa?
What are  Symptoms of bulimia nervosa
 Physical health problems linked with bulimia nervosa
eating  What is binge eating disorder (BED)?
disorders?  Symptoms of binge eating disorder
 Physical health problems linked with binge eating disorder

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

 Risk factors for eating disorders
 Conflict at home; abuse; neglect or strict upbringing with high
expectations of children
 Family history of dieting/parental obesity
Section 3:  Persistent critical comments from other about eating, weight or
Risk factors for body shape (Societal Pressures also)
 Pressure to be slim because of occupation
eating  Dieting
disorders  Obesity
 Early onset of menstruation
 Family history of eating disorders or other mental health issues
 Certain personality characteristics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Section 3:
First aid for  First aid for eating disorders– The five basic steps
eating  Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
disorders– The  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
five basic steps  Give support and information

(ALGEE)  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

 Encourage other supports

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  What is personality?
 What is personality disorder?
 Why is personality disorder important?

Section 3:  When and why do personality disorders occur?

Personality  Types of personality disorders

 Cluster A personality disorders ‘odd cluster’
Disorders  Cluster B personality disorders ‘dramatic cluster’
 Cluster C personality disorders ‘anxious cluster’
 How common are different types of personality disorders?
 Recover from personality disorder
 Personality disorder and Stigma

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Anxiety disorders – facts and figures
 Panic attacks – background info on slow breathing guidance
Section 3:  Self-harm – facts and figures

Useful  Eating disorders –facts and figures

 Anorexia nervosa – facts and figures
Statistics  Bulimia nervosa – facts and figures
 Binge eating disorders – facts and figures
 Personality disorders – facts and figures

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Psychosis
 Building a mentally healthy community
Section 4  Useful Statistics

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  What is psychosis?
 General symptoms of developing psychosis
 Changes in emotion and motivation
 Changes in thinking and perception
 Changes in behaviour
Section 4:  Taking account of different cultures

What is  Types of psychotic disorders

 Schizophrenia
psychosis? 

Bipolar disorder
Psychotic depression
 Postpartum psychosis
 Schizoaffective disorder
 Drug-induced psychosis
 Psychosis and stigma

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Genetic factors
 Changes in brain chemistry and neurotransmitters, especially
dopamine
 Structural brain changes
 A difficult childhood (including traumatic experiences)
Section 4:  Complications at birth
Risk factors for  Stress, in particular social stressors
psychosis  City life, social adversity, ethnicity and migration
 General medical conditions
 Alcohol, cannabis and other drugs
 Other factors

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  First aid for psychosis – The five basic steps
 Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis
Section 4:  Listen and communicate non-judgementally
First aid for  Give support and information
psychosis  Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
 Encourage other supports

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

Building a
mentally  Building a mentally healthy community
healthy
community

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Psychosis – facts and figures
 Psychosis, stigma and crime – facts and figures
Section 4:  Treatment for psychosis – facts and figures
Useful  Schizophrenia – facts and figures
Statistics  Bipolar disorder – facts and figures

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  Appendix A – Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
 Appendix B – Nutrition and mental health

Appendices  Appendix C – WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning)

 Helpful Resources
 References

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England

  This course can be accessed through
https://mhfaengland.org/individuals/
adult
Two-day /
Training
Course
 or via the Catholic Children’s Society
https://www.cathchild.org.uk/menta
l-health-first-aid/

Adult MHFA Manual, 2016, MHFA England