Mental Health First Aiders
What is a Mental Health First Aider?
A mental health first aider is someone who has been trained to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental ill health. They are not therapists or psychiatrists, but they can provide initial support and signpost people to appropriate professional help.
Not only have they been trained about the different types of mental ill health, the signs and symptoms, and how to have supportive conversations, but they have also been taught how to assess the risk of self-harm and suicide, and when to summon the appropriate emergency services if necessary.
Mental health first aiders play an important role in reducing stigma and promoting mental health awareness. They can help to create a more supportive environment for people who are struggling, and they can provide them with the information and resources they need to get help.