Mental Health First Aid Offers Strategies For Managing Mental Health & Substance Use Issues
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an educational program that offers individuals the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use issues in others. It helps with strategies for providing initial support and assistance to individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges or crises until professional help can be accessed.
As we recover from the COVID-19 crisis, the spotlight is on mental health issues -- women, for a variety of reasons, were greatly affected by the stress and anxiety created from the pandemic.
Of course, anyone can experience stress and anxiety, starting at any age. In a recent NY Post article, students talk openly about the “pressure cooker” environments at boarding schools that have led to a string of student suicides: Boarding school students reveal 'pressure cooker' conditions after string of suicides (nypost.com)
What Is Mental Health First Aid? (MHFA): Mental Health First Aid.
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
The training provides the skills you need to help and support someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
The training can be helpful to a wide variety of people who come into contact with individuals requiring assistance with mental health issues: teachers, first responders, Veterans, neighbors, parents, friends, people in recovery and those supporting a loved one.
In addition to stress at home and school, many people experience stress at work – a condition called the “Sunday Scaries” is the anxiety people feel the day before returning to work on Monday. Managers and HR professionals can benefit from the specialized course, Mental Health First Aid at Work Mental Health First Aid at Work - Mental Health First Aid.
MHFA is not intended to replace professional mental health treatment but rather to act as a bridge until professional help can be obtained. It equips individuals with the knowledge and confidence to offer immediate support and compassion, which can be crucial in helping someone during a challenging time.
The MHFA training program typically covers a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Participants learn how to identify signs and symptoms of these conditions and gain an understanding of the impact they can have on individuals and their families. Here are some helpful tips from the MHFA website for those trying to manage their stress:
Understand your stressors and define your limits. To start, write down what is causing you stress. Is it constantly checking your phone for work emails? A group text that never stops pinging with notifications? Seeing your stressors on paper may help you brainstorm ways to prevent them from happening. Set up guidelines to minimize stress (e.g. a limit to the number of hours you work in a day, scheduling breaks from screen time). Then hold yourself accountable for meeting those guidelines.
Start with small adjustments. Set yourself up for success with attainable changes. Even the smallest tweaks to your routine can have an impact on your mental wellbeing. Examples of small adjustments are: disabling notifications on your phone, creating focus time blocks in your calendar, or distancing yourself from relationships that cause you stress.
Practice self-compassion. There will be tasks, events and situations that blindside you and others you agree to against your better judgment. Acknowledge the situation, and then communicate to others how you’re feeling and ask for help. You may be surprised at how compassionate others can be.
If you or someone you know is experiencing significant mental health or substance use issues, it is important to seek assistance from qualified mental health professionals or healthcare providers.
To learn more about training courses targeted to adults, youth and teens, visit:
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/