1. Mental Health First Aid
13/06/2017
Mental Health First Aid
Dr Tiff Earle, Consultant Psychiatrist – AWP
(Medical Lead for North Somerset & Chair MH Approvals Panel, South of England)
– and –
Stephen Budd, North Somerset Involvement Co-ordinator - AWP

2. How the session will go Presentation – whistle-stop tour - 30 minutes
13/06/2017
How the session will go
Presentation – whistle-stop tour - 30 minutes
Case scenarios & group work discussions– 30 minutes

3. What Is Mental Health First Aid?
13/06/2017
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis
Given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves
Not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or treatment 

4. Why Mental Health First Aid?
13/06/2017
Mental health problems are common
Stigma is associated with mental health problems
Professional help is not always on hand
Individuals with mental health problems often do not seek help
Many people…are not well informed about mental health problems
They do not know how to respond

5. Applying Mental Health First Aid for Crises
13/06/2017
Applying Mental Health First Aid for Crises
Suicidal thought and behaviors
Non-suicidal self-injury
Panic attacks
Adult affected by traumatic events
Acute psychosis
Medical emergency from alcohol abuse
Aggressive behavior

6. 13/06/2017
How to Help - Panic
Let the person know you are concerned and willing to help.
Ask the person whether he or she knows what has happened.
If you don’t know it is a panic attack or other medical problem - Check for a medical alert bracelet and follow the instructions an Seek medical assistance
If the person believes it is a panic attack
Reassure the person that it is a panic attack
Ask the person if you can help

7. Warning Signs of Suicide
13/06/2017
Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
Seeking access to means
Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
Feeling hopeless
Feeling worthless or a lack of purpose
Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities
Feeling trapped
Increasing alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
Demonstrating rage and anger or seeking revenge
Appearing agitated
Having a dramatic change in mood

8. 13/06/2017
Questions to Ask
Ask the person directly whether he or she is suicidal:
“Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Ask the person whether he or she has a plan:
“Have you decided how you are going to kill yourself?”
“Have you decided when you would do it?”
“Have you collected the things you need to carry out your plan?”

9. How to Talk with a Person Who Is Suicidal
13/06/2017
How to Talk with a Person Who Is Suicidal
Discuss your observations with the person
Ask the question without dread
Do not express a negative judgment
Appear confident, as this can be reassuring
Check For Two Other Risks
Has the person been using alcohol or other drugs?
Has he or she made a suicide attempt in the past?

10. 13/06/2017

11. From: Suicide in England and Wales 1861–2007: a time-trends analysis
Figure 1 Age standardized suicide rates for ages ≥15 years in England and Wales (3-year moving averages) 1861–2007
From: Suicide in England and Wales 1861–2007: a time-trends analysis
Int J Epidemiol. 2010;39(6): doi: /ije/dyq094
Int J Epidemiol | Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2010; all rights reserved. 11

12. Mental Health First Aid ACTION PLAN – “ALGEE”
13/06/2017
Mental Health First Aid ACTION PLAN – “ALGEE”
Mental Health First Aid teaches a five-step action plan, ALGEE, for individuals to provide help to someone who may be in crisis.
A – Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L - Listen non-judgmentally
G - Give reassurance and information
E – Encourage appropriate professional help
E - Encourage self-help & other support strategies

13. 13/06/2017
Golden gate bridge
(NB: hover over above & right click on mouse then open hyperlink to go to video)

14. 13/06/2017

15. 13/06/2017

16. 13/06/2017

17. 13/06/2017

18. 13/06/2017

19. 13/06/2017

20. 13/06/2017

21. Mental Health First Aid in England (MHFA)
13/06/2017
Mental Health First Aid in England (MHFA)
See the above leaflets and other resources at Mental Health First Aid England: