Mental Health First Aid via Webinar

Holland Safety Accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) enables the learner to recognize common signs and symptoms of an individual whose mental health may be in crisis and to assist them through implementing the mental health first aid action plan.

The learner will gain awareness of mental health disorders and how to support and empathise with individuals who are going through a difficult time. The learner will gain knowledge in what signs maybe concerning and when to seek professional help for the individual.  

MHFA is a course that can be attended by any member of any organisation or any member of the public who wishes to learn more about mental health and illness.

While there is presently no legal requirement for this training in Ireland, we can only encourage employers to have as many MHFA and employees aware of mental health issues in the workplace as possible so we can look after each other.

However, we would advise you to speak to your employees before they attend for training. Do they have an interest in supporting others with mental health issues, are they comfortable with attending this course, do they have the time in their current role to support others? 

• Introduction to mental health
• knowledge and skills to recognise the signs and symptoms associated with anxiety and depression
• Learn how to develop empathic listening skills
• Tools to challenging stigma
• Improve productivity within the workplace
• Decrease absenteeism
• Improved performance from individuals and teams

• Know what mental health is and why people develop mental health conditions and the role of a Mental Health First Aider
• Know how to provide advice and practical support for a person presenting a mental health condition
• Know how to recognise and manage stress
• Know how to recognise and identify range mental conditions
• Understanding the impact of substance abuse on mental health
• Understand the first aid action plan for mental health and be able to put it in place
• Know how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace

Learners who complete the mental health first aid course will be trained in mental health first aid skills receive a Holland Safety Mental Health First Aid Certificate.

What is Mental Health

• Mental health is an integral and essential component of health.
• The WHO constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
• An important implication of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to contribute to his or her community. 

The Function of Mental Health First Aid

The employee trained in MHFA in the workplace is a point of contact to the employee who is experiencing a mental health issue. The employee trained in MHFA interactions with the individual in crisis maybe an initial conversation through to supporting the individual accessing the appropriate help or service they need. The employee trained in MHFA has a key role in early intervention as they have been trained to:

• Know the signs and symptoms of Mental ill health
• Communicate and listen empathetically
• Assess the level of distress the person is in and what interventions are needed
• Encourage the person to access appropriate service
• Maintain confidentiality
• Protect themselves while carrying out the role of MHFA

This training course is not intended to replace the input of medically trained professionals, instead, it is designed to teach people to know the signs and symptoms of mental illness and to provide help in a first aid capacity. The course is delivered by a quality assured professional with the highest level of expertise in psychotherapy. 

How to maintain your Mental health

• Looking after your mental health, information and ideas to support your wellbeing HSE (click on a link to read further)
• Please feel free to look at our informative blog to learn more about supporting your mental health. (click on a link to read further)

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Why is it important to learn about Mental Health

• Mental health just like physical health can fluctuate depending on your circumstances. In relation to the workplace, people can experience mental health difficulties when they are bored, under-valued or under-stimulated and equally if too many demands are placed on them.
• Mental health problems are very common. One in four of us are expected to experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives.
• The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2020 depression will be the second greatest cause of disability in the world.
• Mental health problems can occur in any individual, regardless of their job, gender, age or social background. 
• It is estimated that up to 11 million workdays are lost through absenteeism every year at a cost of €1.5bn to the Irish economy. 
• Preliminary findings from the CIPD HR practices in Ireland 2019 survey showed that while over half (54%) of respondents identified that stress is on the increase, 44% believed that stress is the top factor leading to absenteeism with over 20% of organisations reporting an increase in absenteeism rate in the last 12 months.