Finding yourself in a mental health emergency can be overwhelming and stressful. Unless you are familiar with the symptoms of mental illness and addiction, it can be hard to know what a person in distress needs and what might make things worse. A Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course sets out what to do in a crisis until professional help arrives.
You will learn about the early warning signs of mental illness, how to communicate well, and where to find professional mental health support in your community.
When someone is having a mental health crisis, they may be having a panic attack, experiencing withdrawal, feeling suicidal, reacting to relationship problems, having a psychotic episode, or a mix of these.
What you learn on an MHFA course#
An MHFA course gives you a basic understanding of the different kinds of mental illness and their symptoms. Topics often include:
- depression and mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- psychosis and severe psychotic states
- substance use disorders and the effects of drug or alcohol misuse
- trauma and traumatic events
Courses also cover how to respond to crisis situations such as:
- panic attacks
- suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- self-harm
- aggressive behaviour
The ALGEE action plan#
All MHFA courses teach you to provide mental health first aid using the ALGEE action plan:
- Approach, assess and assist with any crisis. Assess the risk of suicide or harm, and look for signs of trauma and high anxiety.
- Listen to the person non-judgementally.
- Give the person reassurance, support and information.
- Encourage the person to seek appropriate professional help.
- Encourage other supports, such as family, friends and self-help strategies.
Unlike many emergency action plans, the steps in ALGEE do not have to be done in order. You can assess the risks, give reassurance and listen without judgement, all at the same time.
Who should attend an MHFA course?#
It is better to know what to do and not need it than to be caught unprepared in a difficult situation. If you have a friend, family member or close colleague living with a mental illness, signing up for a mental health first aid course is a good idea.
These courses are also valuable for anyone who works in human services, such as:
- counsellors and social workers
- managers, human resources and welfare officers
- teachers and university lecturers
- police officers and youth workers
- nurses and allied healthcare professionals
- lawyers
Tailored courses#
As well as the standard MHFA course, there is a range of tailored courses that cater to specific age groups, professions and cultural backgrounds. Tailored versions may be aimed at groups such as nursing students, medical students, financial counsellors, and people working with teenagers and young people. Some are also offered in different languages.
Courses are run by independent instructors who are trained and accredited to deliver them. Some online (eLearning) options are also available for particular groups, such as nursing and medical students, with more online courses being developed over time.
Where to get help#
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.