Mental Health First Aid

Mrs Julie Delaney has been trained in Mental Health First Aid and is available at school on Mondays and Tuesdays for a assistance.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program that teaches members of the community how to provide initial support to adults and children who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Mental Health First Aid program was developed in 2001 by Mental Health First Aid Australia and has been delivered to over 1 million people across Australia.

Why is Mental Health First Aid Important?

Mental health problems are common - one in five Australians will experience a mental illness in any given year. Mental health problems can range from mild to severe and can have a significant impact on a person's life.

Mental health problems are often misunderstood and there is a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness. This can make it difficult for people to seek help. Mental Health First Aid provides members of the community with the skills and knowledge to identify, understand and respond to mental health problems.

What is the goal of Mental Health First Aid?

The goal of Mental Health First Aid is to promote mental health and wellbeing, and to prevent the development of mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and to encourage people to seek help early.

Steps of Mental Health First Aid

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis. The 5 steps of mental health first aid are:

1. Assess for risk of suicide or harm
2. Listen non-judgmentally
3. Give reassurance and information
4. Encourage the person to seek professional help
5. Encourage self-help and other support strategies