Name Date Thank your host for asking you to attend. “Thank you for the opportunity….”

What is MHFA? The help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. First aid is given until treatment is received or crisis is resolved Based on the model of medical first aid Go over the definition of Mental Health First Aid.

Medical First Aid First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. The aims of any first aid are to: Preserve life Prevent deterioration of injury or illness Promote healing Provide comfort to the ill or injured Explain the similarities between the aims of physical first aid and mental health first aid.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) The aims of MHFA are to: Preserve life where a person may be a danger to self or others Provide help to prevent a mental health problem from becoming more serious Promote recovery of good mental health Provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem This course does not train people to be a therapist, counsellor or mental health professional, just as medical first aid training does not make you a doctor. However, they can learn skills to help provide the initial support for someone who may be developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Why Mental Health First Aid Mental Health problems are common There is stigma/discrimination associated with mental health problems Many people are not well informed about mental health problems Professional help is not always on hand People often do not know how to respond Discuss some of the reasons for Mental health First Aid including: High prevalence: 1 in 3 Canadians will have a mental health problem in their lifetime 1 in 5 Canadians will have a mental health problem in the course of a year. Common: 1 in 3 people in Alberta have seen a doctor for mental health problems as a primary diagnosis, in the past 3 years. Does not include secondary Does not include the more than half of people who don’t seek help Stigma/discrimination: Option – Ask group to list/describe different examples of stigma/discrimination

Origins of MHFA Developed in Australia at Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University Has spread to Scotland, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Finland and Canada Part of national mental health strategies in Australia and Scotland The MHFA training course was developed and introduced by professors Anthony Jorm and Betty Kitchner from the Center of Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in 2001. Since 2005 the program has been sponsored by the ORYGEN Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. AMHB brought program to Canada in March 2006. Adapted materials for Canada - Extensive review – still doing revisions and will review again. Delivering across Canada - All regions in Alberta (although not just RHAs) - Winnipeg - Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick

About MHFA Canada 12-hour course Flexible delivery format Interactive Practical For anyone – general public, teachers, health service providers, emergency workers, employers, etc. Flexible: 12 hours can be over two days or 4 sessions (3 hours each) depending upon the need of the participants Participants are required to attend the entire 12 hours before receiving a certificate

Topics What is meant by mental health and mental illness Signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and crisis situations Basic 5-step model to provide first aid Info about interventions and treatments How to guide someone toward professional help What MHFA covers Point 4: not to treat but to be aware Point 5: sometimes there are self-help strategies but not equally effective for all mental health problems

Assess risk of suicide or harm Listen non-judgmentally The Five Basic Steps Assess risk of suicide or harm Listen non-judgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help Encourage self-help strategies Ask participants if they have taken regular first aid. Explain that in the same way that as medical first aid uses ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) mental health first aid uses ALGEE.

Mental Health Problems Mood Disorders Anxiety Disorders Psychosis Substance Use Disorders Mental health problems are used to describe all aspects of mental health difficulties. The areas covered are:

Crisis Situations Suicidal behaviour Panic attacks Reactions to traumatic events Acute psychosis Overdoses As part of Assessing for risk of suicide or harm, participants will gain skills to deal with the following crisis situations.

For each disorder Signs and symptoms Variations of the disorder Risk factors First aid, including crisis first aid Effective treatments

MHFA Canada Instructors Instructors trained over 5 days Certified to train the 12-hour course Background in mental health Teach 3 courses a year to maintain certification Who are MHFA Canada Instructors? Need to have background – are screened. Need to have knowledge/experience in mental health and with facilitating groups. Application packages and training dates are on our website. Instructors are independent and determine their fee structure. Some provide the training as part of their employment, while others provide the training as part of the business. Instructors remain current by accessing up to date information from MHFA Canada, teaching a minimum of three courses per year, and attending a refresher in a three year period. Ongoing support from the Master Facilitators. Access to secure web area – updated resources, stats.

MHFA Canada Infrastructure Master Facilitators Canadian course materials Evaluation Develop new modules/adapt for specific groups – youth, aboriginal, seniors Master Facilitators: Two master facilitators – hoping to recruit two more Materials: Canadian materials going through revision Evaluation: MHFA Canada is designing numerous research projects surrounding the training. Developing an evaluation framework. Same measure used by health regions – appropriate, accessible, etc. Public health agency helping to evaluate and adapt for Aboriginal and immigrant groups. Australia has evaluated course – public, in workplace, and in rural areas: - More confident in providing help - More likely to advise people to seek help - More aligned with health professional belief in treatments - Improved own mental health - Less social distance – translation reduced stigma and discrimination New Modules: Future goals include new modules and/or adaptations for specific goals. With Health Canada research projects have been initiated for aboriginal and immigrant groups. MHFA Canada will be offering a youth version in late fall 2007.

MHFA Canada in Schools Funding from provincial government to train at least one person in every school Materials currently being adapted for youth, plus development of 2 extra modules – eating disorders, self-harm Answer any remaining questions. Again, thank your host.