1. Positive Mental Health and First Aid as a Civil Skill Eila Okkonen, Ph.D. Director of Education Centre 2009

2. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 2 Finnish Association for Mental Health promotes and works towards good mental health stimulates interaction between individuals and communities activates to work voluntary for the welfare of communities collects and disseminates information on mental health proposes initiatives and publishes reports trains professionals, volunteers and civil people publishes books and journals responds to social challenges in society offers support and help …

3. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 3 In Europe Every year over 25 % of European adults suffer from mental health problems 58 000 suicides 18,4 millions suffer from major depression 18,5 millions suffer from specific phobias 18,5 million (Green paper on Mental Health)

4. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 4 When Europeans are feeling bad (N=29 250) 53 % would turn to a family member 50 % to a health professional 22 % to a friend

5. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 5 Europeans (N=29 250) 63 % believe that people with mental health problems are unpredictable 37 % think that psychological problems constitute a danger to others 21 % believe that psychological or emotional health problems will never recover 14 % maintain that those who have psychological problems should blame themselves

6. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 6 The goals of the Mental Health First Aid Participants -enhance knowledge, resources and coping skills -will be encouraged to raise issues and discuss -will be encouraged to help and support others -learn to assess -whether their own resources suffice and -if professional help is needed

7. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 7 Mental health a positive resource in life skill a foundation for life

8. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 8 Mentally healthy person optimistic satisfied able to understand other people flexible adaptable

9. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 9 The promotion of health is cheaper than to treat and care for illness and to dismantle piled-up problems

10. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 10 The Positive Mental Health First Aid 1 The participants will assess and strengthen their own resources and coping skills will be encouraged to take care of their own and support close ones’ mental well-being improve their own knowledge on positive mental health, and mental health disorders improve their skills to cope with difficulties and to discuss difficult issues

11. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 11 Themes of MHFA 1 personal resources and coping skills loneliness loss and sorrow crises of life self destructive behaviour sexuality occupational well-being mental health disorder

12. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 12 The Mental Health First Aid 2 Participant will know the more common mental health disorders and their symptoms be aware of alcohol and drug addiction and the adverse effects of drug use know how to apply the mental health first aid steps know how to offer help when necessary know how to guide the person to therapy learn to identify their own limits to help - Australian origin

13. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 13 The mental health first aid steps Assess Risk of Suicide and Harm Listen Non Judgementally Give Reasurance and Information Encourage Person to Get Appopriate Professional Help Encourage Self Help Strategies

14. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 14 MHFA 1 - Instructer course Mental Health First Aid ® as a Civil Skill - cources MTEA –further education MHFA - tailor maid courses MHFA 1 - Basic training MHFA 2 - Basic training MHFA 2 - Instructer course

15. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 15 Mental Health First Aid - 2007 CountrySinceInstructersParticipants Australia200060655.000 Hong Kong2003222.000 Scotland20032016.900 Canada200459700 Finland2006531.000 Singapore200619470 Ireland200715240 Great Britan20072760 Total100266.370

16. August 09 Okkonen, Education Center 16 Every one needs mental health and well-being skills, because a major part of mental health work is carried out in daily life, at home at work at school.

17. Contact address eila.okkonen@mielenterveysseura.fi