There is widespread ignorance of mental ill health in the general population and there is the associated stigma too. For some the stigma can lead to delays in people seeking help and support. There is also a lack of confidence in what to do if someone is distressed or in a crisis situation. MHFA is a response to this with the aim of improving mental health literacy throughout communities, with the belief that mental health crises, such as suicidal and self harming actions, can sometimes be avoided with early intervention.
First aid for physical injuries teaches people how to give initial care until medical treatment is accessed, and MHFA does the same for someone experiencing mental ill health. However, in teaching people how to give initial care, the course also dispel the fears people often have when they come across someone they suspect is experiencing mental ill health or is in distress.
- MHFA England: First Aid Training & Courses
- A GPs Role in Mental Health First Aid,
- What you can do for a first time mental ill-health experience,
- What you can do if it's possibly a relapse,
- What you can do for someone else in emergency,
- Emergency services for Carers,
- Further help/helplines,
- Mental Health First Aid Courses
GPs role
In the first instance of mental health problems, whether for the first time or if it's a long term problem, for emergency treatment, you should contact your General Practitioner (GP).
Your GP is your family doctor, the doctor you would normally go to see if you are ill or concerned about your health. He or she can usually deal with a mental health problem more quickly and fully than an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
Your GP is your family doctor, the doctor you would normally go to see if you are ill or concerned about your health. He or she can usually deal with a mental health problem more quickly and fully than an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
First Mental ill-health experience
For first time go to Primary health care: GP.
- Your GP will begin ask about your symptoms and feelings to work out what sort of problem you are experiencing.
- They will then direct you to the help you need; medication, advice, counselling, or referral to specialist mental health services.
- Most people with mental health problems are treated by the primary care team such as, their GP, a counsellor or nurse.
Or relapse
If you are already in contact with mental health services and need emergency treatment you should:
- During office hours- call your Care Co-ordinator, or your local centre.
- Call PALS customer relations (8am - 8pm, Monday to Friday):
Phone: 0800 953 0045
Text: 07985 883 509
Email: [email protected]
The staff there will be able to put you in touch with someone who can help.
For someone other than yourself
In an emergency, if you are concerned about the well-being of a relative or friend and feel they are mentally unwell and are putting themselves or somebody else at risk, you could try contacting their local social services emergency duty team on 0121 675 4806, the home-intervention and crisis team or the police. If it is appropriate a social worker on duty will arrange for a mental health assessment. Relevant contact numbers should be available in a local telephone directory, or on the local Primary Care Trust website.
You can also phone their GP, there will be an out of hours or emergency number on their answer machine.
You can also phone their GP, there will be an out of hours or emergency number on their answer machine.
The Emergency Service for Carers.
Are you a carer?
If you provide support to a friend or relative who could not manage without your help, then you are a carer.
Would you need support in an Emergency
Then you need to register with Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS), the emergcency service for carers.
CERS supports carers by providing a free back up sevice to ensure the person they care for is given support in case of an emergency for up to 48 hours (72 on Bank Holidays), after which, if necessary, longer term care can be arranged.
The CERS service can assist carers if:
Telephone: 0121 622 5521
Email: [email protected]
Or visit CERS website.
If you provide support to a friend or relative who could not manage without your help, then you are a carer.
Would you need support in an Emergency
Then you need to register with Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS), the emergcency service for carers.
CERS supports carers by providing a free back up sevice to ensure the person they care for is given support in case of an emergency for up to 48 hours (72 on Bank Holidays), after which, if necessary, longer term care can be arranged.
The CERS service can assist carers if:
- They cannot get home because a vehicle breaks down, or a train is delayed.
- They have an accident.
- They are suddenly admitted into hospital.
- They are needed elsewhere urgently, for another crisis.
- They need emergency support to attend health appointments.
- They need support with school and exam attendance.
- This is an emergency to the person they care for, which may affect attendance at school or health appointments.
- Register them on a database to receive support in an emergency.
- Draw up on an Action Plan with the carer for which will determine what type of care will be needed if an emergency arises.
- Provide a card with an emergency phone number.
- Put the Action Plan into motion when a call is received on the emergency number.
- Callers who ring with situations that do not fit CERS criteria for aid, will be supported in accessing the relevant assistance.
Telephone: 0121 622 5521
Email: [email protected]
Or visit CERS website.
More help
Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk.
- NHS Direct open 24 hours:
Free phone: 111 (free phone line for some areas)
Phone: 0845 46 47
- Samaritans open 24 hours:
Phone: 08457 90 90 90
Text: 07725 90 90 90
Email: [email protected]
- SANELINE on 0845 767 8000 - open 1pm - 11pm every day
- Mind: 0845 766 0163
- No Panic: 0808 808 0545 10:00am - 10:00pm.
Mental Health 'First Aid' courses
to raise understanding of mental health and how to maintain it.
to raise understanding of mental health and how to maintain it.
Learning Lite (3 hour) courses roughly £75. Full courses (2/3 days) roughly £300. Occasional free MHFA training is available on BSMHFT so keep an eye on their upcoming events. | Teaching An accredited 7 day course. £2,581.20 (Standard & Youth courses) This training package has been fully funded through the Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR Fund and is worth £3,012 per instructor. |
MHFA Line Managers Resource |
For more information about mental health problems, read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Making a list of the problems and questions as a guide to talk to your GP can help organise your thoughts and aid memory.Taking a friend or relative can be good for support.