Mental Health First Aid

More and more workplaces are now recognising the importance of mental health support, and providing training for nominated Mental Health First Aiders in the same way they have long ensured the provision of First Aiders in the workplace. But what IS a mental health first aider’s role?

Much like physical first aid, mental health first aid is designed to provide instant on-the-scene support  and ensure the individual in crisis receives help from highly-trained professionals if needed. Mental Health First Aid courses teach skills in listening, empathy, suicide prevention and providing a safe space, as well as ensuring first aiders are equipped with up-to-date knowledge of all the professional services available and how to access them. This means that they can provide that initial helping hand, and signpost the person in need to the service most suited to them.

Shannon will be available in this capacity for employees and/or clients – you can speak to her in confidence and she will be able to help you to obtain support if needed, or simply provide a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on.

When talking to a mental health first aider, the same rules of confidentiality apply as they would with a counsellor or doctor. That is, everything discussed is confidential but the first aider has a duty of care and will have to break confidentiality IF there is a risk of harm to self or others, or criminal activity is disclosed. In those cases, however, they must first inform the individual of this, and explain why they have to break confidentiality, encouraging the person to speak up to the relevant professionals themselves and supporting them to do so.

We think it is fantastic that society is starting to recognise the importance of mental health issues, and we are seeing a rise in the provision of support. Mental health affects everyone, and we firmly believe it’s something we should all be talking about without stigma or judgement.