The Importance of Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid

Nicola J Stock

An awareness of mental health and a knowledge of mental health first aid can be beneficial for both the individual and others around them. The link between mental and physical health:

Mental health is just as important as physical health and there is a clear link between the two; if someone has a long-term physical illness, their mental health is likely to be affected and vice versa, those with long-term mental health problems are more likely to have an illness such as a heart condition and many have associated physical symptoms. Depression can cause headaches and fatigue for example, and anxiety can lead to problems with digestion. Positive mental health could be seen as part of our general sense of wellness.

Encouraging positive mental health and wellness:

The NHS highlights five steps that we can all take to improve our mental health and wellbeing:

1) Connect with other people, inperson and face-to-face as well as via technology or social media.

2) Be physically active by doing something you enjoy: walking the dog, playing with children, taking part in a sport etc.

3) Learn new skills. This could be a new recipe, learning how to fix something or a craft activity for example.

4) Give to others. An act of kindness creates positive feelings and giving someone your time can be greatly appreciated.

5) Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness). This includes your thoughts and feelings, your sense of your body and the world around you.

What is mental health first aid?

In the same way that a workplace first aider would not expect to fix a suspected broken ankle but would support the injured person and signpost them to the appropriate place where they can receive the necessary diagnosis, management and support. So a mental health first aider is not expected to either diagnose a mental health problem, or offer any treatment. The mental health first aider’s role is twofold – to be a point of contact for a colleague who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress and to contribute to creating a positive environment for mental health in the workplace.

How does a mental health first aider support someone?

The interaction between a mental health first aider and a colleague in distress could range from recognising that someone is struggling, to having an initial conversation, through to supporting the person to get the appropriate help. In day-to-day interaction with colleagues, mental health first aiders are taught the importance of informal discussions about wellness, stress, depression and anxiety for example and how these conversations can reduce stigma. www.mentalhealthgame.co.uk

Helping to build a healthy workplace environment will not prevent or reduce all mental health problems as the workforce may still experience life traumas elsewhere, but a toxic work environment, if it exists, will inevitably be the cause of some workers experiencing mental health problems. In addition to employing or training mental health first aiders, employers can have steps in place to help their workforce build mental strength and improve their resilience so that they can stay as healthy as possible.

Nicky is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Lecturer and Mental Health Awareness Trainer. She is also a Mental Health First Aid instructor for various awarding bodies.

The Rise and Shine Game was created to encourage mobility in patients with a focus on the elderly community.

It is primarily intended for hospital patients and care home residents who may have more of a challenge being able to move freely.

Designs created by Bob Olley in collaboration with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Launching May 2023 - Available to pre-order at: www.riseandshinegame.com