“Mental Health First Aid for All” campaign launched
28 May 2009
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92% would stop and help someone knocked down and hurt, but only 51% would offer to help someone crying in public
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Recession makes Mental Health First Aid a top priority
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Knowing the basics of Mental Health First Aid could save lives
A“Mental Health First Aid for All”campaign has today been launched by the Mental Health Foundation. Supported by the National Mental Health Development Unit, the charity will work to ensure that the basics of Mental Health First Aid can be understood and used by everyone in the country.*
As concern grows about the impact of the recession and other lifestyle pressures on our mental health, the need for people to know the basics of Mental Health First Aid is more urgent than ever, said the partners. Research indicates that men exposed to major financial stress are three times more likely to suffer from debilitating levels of anxiety and depression, and women twice as likely.
The basics of Mental Health First Aid - which include a listening ear, reassurance and good information - can be lifesavers but according to the partners many people find it difficult to offer support to others in emotional distress.
A recent survey carried out by UK charity the Mental Health Foundation showed that people are much more likely to stop and help someone who is physically hurt, than someone who is visibly upset.
Whilst 92 per cent of people said they would stop to help someone knocked down in the street, only half (51 per cent) would do the same for someone crying in public.
The survey also found that a quarter (24 per cent) of respondents wouldn’t know what to do or say if someone close to them had worries about their own mental health. Yet 41 per cent of people said they would turn to family if they had a problem with their own mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation and the National Mental Health Development Unitsay that not knowing how to respond to emotional distress is not because people are uncaring, but because they lack the basic knowledge and confidence to react – it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. They believe that people need to be equipped to feel comfortable supporting their friends, relatives and colleagues.
As part of the “Mental Health First Aid for All” campaign, the Mental Health Foundation is currently working to build a free online information service for the general public, based on the principles of Mental Health First Aid, which will provide simple advice to those who want to know how to help a friend, loved one or colleague in a crisis. It will be available later in the year.
The charity also hopes to raise funds to provide tens of thousands of ‘Z-cards’ containing the five basic steps of Mental Health First Aid, which are:
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Assess risk of suicide or self-harm
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Listen non-judgmentally
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Give reassurance and information
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Encourage the person to seek help, if appropriate
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Encourage self-help strategies
The partners say that all adults should be given the opportunity to be Mental Health First Aid trained. The National Mental Health Development Unit hosts the Mental Health First Aid England programme that trains instructors to provide two-day courses in Mental Health First Aid.
Celia Richardson, Campaigns Director at the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“We have launched this campaign because we want everyone to feel confident about helping others who may be experiencing emotional or mental health problems.
During the economic downturn increasing numbers will find themselves unemployed and facing debt - circumstances that can result in depression and anxiety.
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