Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained.

The aims of Mental Health First Aid are:

To preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others

To provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state

To promote the recovery of good mental health
 
To provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem

MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people how to recognize the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental health problems are common, especially depression, anxiety and misuse of alcohol and other drugs. One person in four will experience some form of problem with their mental health in the course of a year.

There is a stigma associated with mental health problems which may hinder people from seeking help. People are often ashamed to discuss mental health problems with family, friends and work colleagues. They may also be reluctant to seek help and support for such problems because of their concerns about what others will think of them.

Many people are not well informed. Understanding how to recognise mental health problems and what effective treatments are available is not widespread. With greater community awareness, people will be able to recognise their own and others’ problems and feel more comfortable about seeking assistance.

Help is not always on hand. GPs, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists can all assist people with mental health problems. However, just as with accidents and medical emergencies, such assistance is not always available when a problem first arises. This is when members of the public can offer immediate aid and support the person to get appropriate help.

People may lack the insight to realise they need help or that help is available. Some mental health problems cloud clear thinking and good decision-making: a person experiencing such problems may not realise that they need help or that effective help is available for them. They may be in a state of distress and not be able to think clearly about what they should do.


Members of the general public often do not know how to respond. In a mental health crisis situation, the helper’s actions may determine how quickly the person with the problem gets help and/or recovers. The Mental Health First Aid (Wales) approach trains people to be calm and confident and to respond in an appropriate way to give the best help.

What's it for?

A 12 hour training course that improves mental health literacy and helps people to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone with mental health problems; to respond to various mental health crises, engage with, support and signpost people to appropriate help.


Who it's for?

The programme is targeted at raising mental health literacy in the general public. Some key groups of people include people who work in the Ambulance Service, Welsh Police Forces and Prison Service, Jobcentre Plus, Primary Health Care and Social Care, staff in Further and Higher Education, Support Workers in a variety of settings, voluntary and community groups, and other workplaces.      

 2009 Course Dates:

27th and 28th Aug 09
28th and 29th Sept 09
27th and 28th Oct 09
23rd and 24th Nov 09
7th and 8th Dec 09

2010 Course Dates:

27th and 28th Jan 10
22nd and 23rd Feb 10
29th and 30th Mar 10
Registered Charity Number: 1102815 Registered Company Number: 5059087

Course places are £150 per person

To book a course with Sheree please call 01495 768831 or e-mail shereewilliamstorfaenmind@hotmail.co.uk.

Expressions of interest are now being collated for additional courses. Further Information can also be found on the following web site Mhfa Wales or Mind Cymru