Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 will take place from 10th-16th May this year.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Working conditions and environment can have a huge impact on mental health. One in four people in the UK will have a mental health problem at some point.
We are pleased to advise that 8 members of staff have now been trained in MHFA (Mental Health First Aid). MHFA is defined as the help to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
The aims are:
- To preserve life
- To provide help to prevent the mental health problem or crisis developing
- To promote recovery of good mental health
- To provide comfort to a person experiencing distress
- To promote understanding of mental health issues.
In addition, we have an existing Mental Health First Aid Workplace Policy in place which includes guidance on the role of our MHFA Officers, our responsibilities, confidentiality, expectations, support and useful contact information.
Should you wish more information on course information with St Andrews First Aid, please visit their website: https://www.firstaid.org.uk/training/
Please also visit https://www.samh.org.uk/ and https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work to gain a wealth of information on mental health.
