Mental Health First Aid Ireland are running 5 Mental Health First Aid Courses in Donegal this year.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help given to someone who is developing a mental health problem or who is in a mental health crisis.
The first aid is given until appropriate professional support is received or until the crises resolves.
The MHFA programme is available in 23 countries worldwide and the Donegal courses are run with funding from the HSE and in partnership with Connect Mental Health.
Emerging mental health problems covered in the course include: depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance misuse. The course also covers mental health crisis situations including: suicidal thoughts and behaviours, self-harm, panic attacks, traumatic events, severe psychotic states, severe effects of alcohol or other drug use and aggressive behaviours.
It is really important that people living or working in the community train in Mental Health Fist Aid as mental health problems are so common yet there is stigma and discrimination around mental health. In addition to this, many people are not well informed about how to recognise mental health problems, how to respond to the person, and what supports are available. Many people with mental health problems delay seeking help or do not seek help at all.
Donal Scanlan, Project Manager with Mental Health First Aid Ireland said: “this is so exciting, a great opportunity to bring mental health first aid skills to a community setting, engaging people in becoming a more caring and supportive community.”
Ciaran McLoone, Connect Mental Health, said “We are delighted to welcome Mental Health First Aid Ireland to Donegal to run these courses. Increasing awareness of mental health issues and available services in the community is a key aim of Connect Mental Health. We would also like to thank the HSE for funding this initiative”
Anne Sheridan, HSE Mental Health Promotion/Suicide Resource Officer for Donegal added ‘ In the development of Connecting for Life Suicide Prevention Plan for Donegal we invited the people of Donegal to have their say. One person wrote to us saying ‘We need an information campaign around mental health issues. I know if I cough up blood that I should go to the doctor because my chest infection has got really bad – but I don’t know what the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues are for me or my family’ .
“Mental Health First Aid does just that – it deals with the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and how to support someone with a mental health problem as well as the services that are there to help. I hope that many people avail of this opportunity to learn more about mental health problems and how to help so that we can extend the support to those who are vulnerable.’
Courses take place on the following dates:
20/21 March – Tir Hugh Centre, Ballyshannon
20/21 May – Moville Family Resource Centre, Inishowen
23/24 June – St Johnston Family Resource Centre
12/13 Oct – Dunfanaghy Family Resource Centre
18/19 Nov – Portnoo Family Resource Centre
For more information or to book a place visit www.connectmentalhealth.ie/events
Background to Connect Mental Health:
Connect Mental Health was founded in January 2015 to help raise awareness of mental health issues in South Donegal. Through events, digital media and educational seminars we hope to empower the local community with practical tools and advice on how to improve and maintain their mental health. Connect Mental Health is run entirely by a core group of volunteers with the support of the HSE and DLDC.
Background to Mental Health First Aid Ireland:
The Mental Health First Aid Programme was created in Canberra, Australia in 2000 by an educator and mental health consumer, Betty Kitchener, who was working as a volunteer in partnership with a mental health researcher, Anthony Jorm. The MHFA programme has now spread to 24 countries and has been incorporated into national mental health policy in many of these countries.
Saint John of God Hospital is a non-profit, independent provider of mental health services. In May 2014 the Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MHFA Australia to adapt the course for Ireland and in October 2014, Betty Kitchener came to Saint John of God Hospital to advise on the roll out of the MHFA Ireland Programme.
The work of MHFA Ireland is overseen by our Project Director Dolores Keating, Project Manager Donal Scanlan and the National Training Team who advises on strategy and support instructor training. We are governed currently by Saint John of God Hospital Ltd, led by CEO Emma Balmaine and her board of management.
For more information please contact Ciaran McLoone, Connect Mental Health: ciaranmcloone@live.ie
