Serve, Learn & Lead with Raymond Tay

Mental Health First Aid

Recently, I attended a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course in University Health Centre (supported by Changi General Hospital) and it is really useful and increase my mental health literacy. This MHFA course was developed by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm and was authorised by the Centre for Mental Health Research at The Australian National University. Betty Kitchener personally has had episodes of depression and has been hospitalised twice for this illness and thus she wanted to assist people who have similar issues like her. The course encourages community members to recognise symptoms of mental illness, to feel comfortable and informed about seeking help or assisting others to seek help, and to reduce stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness.  It is quite similar to Medical First Aid and its aims are:

• Preserve life where a person may be a danger to himself or others.
• Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state.
• Promote recovery of good mental health.
• Provide comfort to a person suffering a mental illness.

“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” – William James

The MHFA Action Plan (the steps to take as a first aider)

1. Active listening
2. Risk assessment of harm and suicide
3. Impart information and reassure
4. Self-help strategies and social support
5. Encourage person to get appropriate professional help

Fact: 1 in 6 adults in Singapore will suffer from some form of common mental illness disorder in their lifetime.

There are four modules in this course:

1. Psychosis: describe a mental problem in which a person has lost some contact with reality
2. Mood disorders: conditions that affect a person’s mood
3. Anxiety disorders: can be expressed in a variety of ways (physical, psychological and behavioural)
4. Addiction problems: occur when a person compulsively engages in a specific activity.

How do we assess the risk level for a person who is thinking of suicide?

We can use these risk factors: “C.P.R.” (Current Plan, Prior Attempts and Resources). Does the person plan how & when to kill themselves? Does he/she have any prior attempt of suicide? Does he/she lack external resources (friends and family) and feel a sense of hopelessness? If the 3 questions are “yes”, the person has a high risk of suicide. Immediate action and professional help is needed for him/her.