Mental Health First Aid

According to statistics from the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness, with those in their early working years being most affected. The remaining 4, will have a friend, family member or colleague who will. In terms of mental health stresses, 1 in every 2 people will experience a mental health difficulty at some time in their lives. In other words, mental health issues affect us all. Issues with mental health can affect the way we think about ourselves, relate to others, and interact with the world around us. They affect our thoughts, feelings, abilities and behaviours. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are more likely to come up during times of stress or uncertainty, which can be part of many people’s jobs. However, life stress outside of work can also affect mental health, which may then affect a person at work. For a variety of reasons, not everyone with a mental health problem seeks treatment. Often, the stigma associated with mental illness prevents them from seeking help. Research indicates that the longer people delay getting help and support, the more difficult their recovery can be. We also know that people are more likely to seek help if someone close to them suggests it. Mireille Huneault of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Durham, provides an outline of the differences between mental health and mental illness, along with a description of mental health difficulties that any of us may experience as a result of an event or circumstance during a particularly stressful time in our lives. The role of distress and crisis call responders is emphasized in providing support in these situations. She underlines the importance of being informed on issues of mental health and the preparedness for offering mental health first aid. According to Mireille Huneault, it is during the early intervention phase that giving mental health first aid can play an important role. Questions for Further Consideration: 1. What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental health first aid is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, mental health first aid is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved. This help can be provided by anyone in a person’s life and includes those who work as distress and crisis call responders. For those who are interested in gaining more specific learning, there are several organizations that offer such a course to the general public. These programs aim to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague. The programs are typically designed to teach people how to: Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. Provide initial help. Guide a person towards appropriate professional help 2. What is the difference between mental health and mental illness? Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental illness is a recognized, medically diagnosable illness that results in the significant impairment of an individual’s cognitive, affective or relational abilities. Mental disorders result from biological, developmental and/or psychosocial factors and can be managed using approaches comparable to those applied to physical disease (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation). It is important to remember that mental health and mental illness are not static; they change over time depending on many factors. Some of the factors that influence mental health include: levels of personal and workplace stress; lifestyle and health behaviours; exposure to trauma; and genetics. When the demands placed on any individual exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health will be negatively affected. Two examples of common demands that have the ability to wear away at people are: i) working long hours under difficult circumstances, and ii) caring for a chronically ill relative. Economic hardship, unemployment, underemployment and poverty also have the potential to undermine mental health Reference: Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario One in five Canadians meets the criteria for having a mental illness in their lifetime, 24.1 percent of women and 17.0 percent of men —this 20 percent affects every one of us, whether at work, at home or personally. Reference: Government of Canada. The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada 2006 Why are some people so reluctant to seek help with a mental health issue? There exists a stigma in our society towards people who experience mental health problems. Stigma is a negative stereotype and this view by others is a reality for many people with a mental illness or mental health problem. There are significant consequences to the public misperceptions and fears. Stereotypes about mental health conditions have been used to justify bullying. Some individuals have been denied adequate housing, health insurance and jobs due to their history of mental illness. Due to the stigma associated with the illness, many people have found that they lose their self-esteem and have difficulty making friends. Sometimes, the stigma attached to mental health conditions is so pervasive that people who suspect that they might have a mental health condition are unwilling to seek help for fear of what others may think. The experience of stigma and discrimination is one of their greatest barriers to seeking help and experiencing a satisfying life. Glossary: Mental Health Problem: A mental health problem is a broader term that includes both mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders which may not be severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of a mental disorder. Mental Disorder: A mental disorder causes major changes in a person’s thinking, emotional state and behaviour, and disrupts the person’s ability to work and carry out their usual personal relationships. Mental Health First Aid: is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.