The statistics tell us that one in five adults will experience a mental health problem each year. And that’s only counting the people who are diagnosed.  That’s part of the reason more people should be enrolling in a mental health first aid course. 

If you think that you don’t know anyone in your life who has struggled with their mental health, chances are you just don’t recognise it. 

Organisations like RUOK Day and Black Dog has started teaching us to ask the question of our mates and colleagues.  But what if the answer is ‘No, I’m not ok’. 

So, you might ask the question, will that knowledge help those around me? Well, not directly. 

To be honest, like a physical first aid course, the person you use that first aid knowledge on is probably mostly yourself, right? 

A mental health first aid certificate would help support those around us when they experience issues with their mental health, but don’t know what to do about it.  As a friend or colleague, you might recognise it, and could help them get help sooner rather than later. 

So here’s why we think everyone would benefit from mental health first aid. Mental health knowledge won’t stop you experiencing poor mental health, just like physical first aid doesn’t stop you injuring yourself. But it can give you the tools you need to know what to do about it. 

What happens when they’re not OK 

The idea of asking someone if they’re feeling depressed or anxious or suicidal is intimidating. 

Sure, we all know from RUOK Day that we should ask people if they’re OK, but what if they say no? What then? Or what if they say they are OK and you’re pretty sure they’re not really. 

The course can’t teach you to spot a lie or make someone talk to you who doesn’t want to, but it gives you insight into what to look for, ways around a difficult conversation, and provides you with enough knowledge to be able to tell someone what they might be able to access — services in your state, how to ask about mental health with a GP, for example. 

Unlike physical first aid, there doesn’t tend to be one right way to have a conversation with someone about their mental health.  You might need to slowly approach the subject, or you may need to have a conversation repeatedly before they’re ready to open up to you.  

The Director of research and curriculum with Mental Health First Aid Australia, Claire Kelly, says there’s evidence this conversation training in courses is working.  With almost 20 years of research now behind mental health first aid, the data is undoubtedly showing that it is making a difference. 

“It improves people’s skills, it improves their confidence in having these conversations, it improves recognition of potential problems, and it is making a profound difference in people’s lives.”   

Claire Kelly – Director of Research & Curriculum 

Mental Health First Aid Australia 

A certificate in first aid does not make you a doctor! 

You might have noticed that we haven’t given any advice on what to say or do if you or someone you know is having a hard time. That’s because you will not be qualified to give the advice that mental health professionals are qualified to give. 

Having a first aid certificate doesn’t make you a doctor, so it’s important to understand that having a mental health first aid certificate doesn’t qualify you as a councellor.  So do not offer advice.  

We work in health care, we work with people living with disabilities and often, our participants and their families are going through some tough times. 

So it’s important to understand that your role as a mental health first aider isn’t to know all the answers and to solve all the problems.  It is simply to just listen and guide people to places where you can get more information and help from professionals. 

If you want to do a mental health first aid course (and you might have guessed by now that we would recommend it) it’s worth asking your workplace if they will pay for you to do it.  Or if you have or a family member that you are supporting has a NDIS plan, it is worth asking your support coordinator to add some education in your next plan to cover the cost for this learning. 

A lot of inclusive businesses and households with people who are living with disabilities, are starting to have mental health first aiders on staff as well as physical first aiders. And if they don’t, it’s a good conversation starter about whether they should. 

Mental health in 2022 

I signed up for a Mental Health First Aid Course course back in BC times. (Before Corona, that is.) At that time, I had no idea how difficult things were going to get for myself, my friends, family and pretty much the entire world. 

You might think my mental health first aid knowledge kept me nice and healthy. Not quite. 

I’ve been riding my very own ‘coronacoaster’ of mental ups and downs, with many more downs than ups. 

But what I learnt in the course has helped me be aware of this rollercoaster ride, which has helped me flatten my personal curve of plunging depression and anxiety attacks. 

And my belief is, that when you take care of yourself, you are more available and aware when others might need support. 

Why is it important? 

A mental health first aid course teaches you to be the one who starts the conversation with someone you think might be struggling, going through a hard time, or could even potentially be a risk to themselves.   

Mental illness still carries a lot of taboo and stigma — some illnesses more than others.  Because of this, often people do not feel comfortable talking about it.  Reaching out and asking for help can be the single most difficult for some people to do.  This way, they don’t have to be the one who reaches out.