Mental Health First Aid at the Workplace

What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

How the Mental Health First Aid Program Began The 1997 National Mental Health Literacy Survey in Australia indicates the need. Developed by Betty Kitchener and Prof Tony Jorm in 2000 to raise level of mental health literacy of the local Canberra community. Gradually spread throughout Australia and overseas. Currently in 23 countries

The Maltese Context Close to 30,000 Maltese Citizens, 6.6% of the total population reported that they suffer from Chronic depression. This information was published in the European Health Interview Survey 2008 which was commissioned by the Department of Health Information and Research within the Ministry for Health. A National study held in 2014 showed that 42.5% of the population resulted to have a “problematic” level of Health Literacy. Half of the population struggles to find information on how to handle stress and depression the survey shows. Nearly 46 % found it difficult, or had no clue, how to track down information on mental health while 30 % struggled to learn more about activities that were good for their mental wellbeing.

Where MHFA Can Help

The Mental Health First Aid Course Follows the model that has been successful with conventional first aid. Trains members of the public to give early help to developing mental health problems and assistance in crisis situations. The course currently involves 12 hours of training: 4 modules of 3 hours each.

What is the Standard Mental Health First Aid course? The Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using consensus of mental health consumers, carers and professionals from English-speaking developed countries. The Standard MHFA course teaches members of the public how to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

MHFA Course Content Mental health problems in Malta Mental Health First Aid Action Plan Depression Anxiety problems Psychosis Substance use problems Mental health crises

Crisis Situations Covered Person who is suicidal or engaging in self-injury Person having a panic attack Person who has experienced a traumatic event Person in a severe psychotic state Person with severe effects from alcohol or other drug use Person with aggressive behaviour.

Who can attend a MHFA course? Any interested adult can attend. This course is not a therapy or support group, rather it is an education course like anyone can attend a regular, standard First Aid Course. This is a 12-hour course (4 modules, each 3 hours).The delivery format is flexible. Course participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion valid for 3 years.

THE BENEFITS OF MHFA AT THE WORKPLACE

MHFA at the Workplace The courses developed for MHFA at the Workplace are all based on the standard MHFA course. The course will be tailored for Evolution Gaming. A focus group or survey will be held in the training preparation stage to measure the knowledge of the participants and to fine-tune the delivery. The instructors delivering the training have a significant experiences working and supporting various organisations.

Is Your Workplace Adequately Prepared to Help An Employee? In a 2011 Conference Board of Canada survey, reported in the HR Insider article ‘Managers lack training on how to manage mental health Illness’, 44% of responding managers indicated they lacked training in how to recognize or address mental health issues in the workplace. The Mental Health Commission of Canada also reported that only 25% of employees believe their supervisor manages mental health issues effectively.

Potential benefits to your organization Evidence has shown that individuals who complete the 12- hour basic course gain the following benefits: Significantly greater skills in effectively identifying of the most common mental health illnesses Decreased social distance from people with mental health illness, which can provide additional benefits to individuals with mental health illnesses Increased confidence in providing help to others Demonstrated increase in generally helpful actions in the workplace

Example of Using MHFA in the Workplace “I recognised clinical depression that was leading to suicide thoughts in one of my work colleagues. I listened, did not prejudge, even though it was through drug related issues as well as personal issues. My work colleague became calm and easy going as he knew I was not a threat to him and I was able to give suggestions on what he / we could do, e.g. GP, counsellor, mental health team.”

EVIDENCE THAT THE MHFA COURSES ARE EFFECTIVE

Evaluation Trials of the Standard MHFA Course Four major studies have been conducted: 1. Members of the public in an urban setting BMC Psychiatry 2002, 2:10 2. Public servants BMC Psychiatry 2004, 4:23 3. Members of the public in a rural area BMC Psychiatry 2004, 4:33 4. Analysis of stories BMC Psychiatry 2005, 5:43

Main Findings The trained group showed more improvement on: Confidence in providing help Likelihood of advising people to seek professional help Concordance with health professionals in beliefs about treatments Social distance (stigmatizing attitudes) Participants’ own mental health

Mental Health First Aid is included in the U.S Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: International Recognition of Evidence that MHFA Works

Costs The costs associated with this training are: €60 per person for a group of minimum 15 employees The cost includes the training preparation stage Course participants receive a copy of the MHFA Manual to keep and a Certificate of Completion valid for 3 years.