Mental Health First Aid
[Although its not overtly spiritual in content, this course was discussed in one of our Spiritual Recovery meetings.]
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is sought.
WHAT ARE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
The most common and disabling mental health problems are depression, anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders. Mental health problems are very common. In any one year about one in five adult Australians experience a common mental health problem. Many people suffer a mental illness for a long time before they seek help. Furthermore, alcohol and other drug problems frequently occur with depression, anxiety and psychosis.
COURSE CONTENT
The course covers helping people in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stages of mental health problems.
Crisis situations covered are:
- Suicidal behaviours/thoughts
- Acute stress reaction
- Panic attacks
- Acute psychotic behavior
Mental health problems covered are:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of these mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.
DATES & TIMES OF THE COURSE?
This is a 9-hour course (3 modules each 3 hours). The course can run over 3 mornings, afternoons or evenings. Courses can be specially designed to be held at your worksite.
WHAT IS THE CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH?
The Centre is located at the Australian National University and is funded by grants from the National Health & Medical Research Council and other organisations. It conducts research into mental health problems in the community. It has investigated the risk factors, causes and outcomes of mental health disorders. Over the last 25 years the Centre has studied depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance use, suicide, psychosis and dementia.
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