What is Mental Health First Aid?
Have you ever heard of Mental Health First Aid, MHFA?
I’d describe it as physical first aid (as in CPR), but the mental health version.
It is actually quite popular in more modern countries, where you have many people attending to become more equipped as mental health first responders.
There are different frameworks and models for MHFA but the essence of it is:
How do you respond to people who are having mental health crises or issues?
Do they offer these MHFA programs in Malaysia?
Yes they do!
I attended the Mental Health First Aid program (conducted by the Malaysian Mental Health Association, MMHA) over the weekend and I am so glad that I did!
The course teaches you the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, where and how to get help and how to provide effective help. You do not need a psychology background or specific experience to attend the course.
Some of the heavier topics included depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicide and non-suicidal injury.
In each topic, you would learn what the red flags are and how to approach it using the MHFA framework because it is dependent on the context. You learn which ones are more due to genes and what can actually escalate/de-escalate the situation.
For example, I never knew the specific ways that we should be quick in handling anxiety and that it manifests differently in children compared to adults.
What you need to know about the MHFA class
It was a full class with people from all walks of life and different locations. There were even participants from Johor and Sabah.
Being a therapist, people may think “why would you attend such a program?”
As a therapist, it’s also good to validate our knowledge and learn the updated resources available in Malaysia for everyone to get the proper support in mental health.
For example: if you’re financially strapped, what is the process and maybe documentation you would need? If your loved one is having depression or anxiety, when would be the point to intervene? How should you go about intervening?
All these questions were addressed in the course content, alongside more severe mental health issues.
Truly, EVERYONE can benefit from this course.
They have virtual and physical options for the classes, with breakfast and lunch provided. You will need to complete an accreditation assessment on the second day, which seems scary to some people.
Trust me, you can pass, the only way you do not is if you sleep through the class!
The certificate will last for 3 years and the course was very affordable considering the content and value: RM600 per pax.
If you have more people going together, you can get a bulk discount.
My personal takeaways from the MHFA course
When I posted about attending the course, I found out that a close friend of mine had gotten himself certified during the pandemic. A lot of his friends and loved ones were struggling so he found the course really helpful in equipping him to be there for his loved ones.
Such stories inspire me because they show that you don’t have to “encouraged” by your organization, be super rich and/or have a certain educational background to go for these courses.
Personally, the course gave me more insights about when I faced anxiety and depression. It helped me understand what my friends and loved ones with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia etc go through: how their worlds are.
Our fears are stronger about the things that we do not not know. We feel overwhelmed, powerless and helpless when we face these emotions.
Before becoming a therapist and going for courses like these, I have had moments where I would wonder if I was saying, doing the right things or if I was making things worse.
Like I said, a lot of misleading information out there…
Going for this course helped validate what I have been doing. It gave me a lot more food for thought and knowledge to be more conscious and mindful.
To be authentic and there for others with mental health issues and help them feel more seen (and less alone).
As much as we may feel overwhelmed, it is even harder for them to live with people’s (wrong, uneducated and often mean) judgements.
About MMHA
It was also heartwarming to learn that MMHA has free and/or very affordable caregiver programs (for those caring for people with mental health issues) and wellness and recovery programs (for those who are facing mental health issues).
If you are interested to check out their website and their offerings, click on the link below:
Don’t let finances and possibly wrong perceptions about mental health and the resources available stop you from taking action.
We can all do better in spreading kindness and understanding and it’s okay to admit that we may not know everything.
You never know who it could help and it’s no understatement that you could even save a life. ❤️