“When First Aid came into existence, the concept of teaching the average citizen to apply pressure to a wound saved people’s lives. Mental Health First Aid will do something similar, by assisting people in making the right kind of decisions.”
-Mental Health First Aid Canada Participant-
Mental Health First Aid is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, Mental Health First Aid is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
The program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.
In the 12 hour workshop Mental Health First Aid Canada teaches people how to:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
- Provide initial help
- Guide a person towards appropriate professional help
Mental Health First Aid shares the same overall purpose as traditional first aid – to save lives. It aims to:
- Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
- Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state
- Promote the recovery of good mental health
- Provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
Mental Health First Aid Canada 12-Hour Course: Registration Dates
Course Date: TBA
For Local Information & to arrange a Mental Health First Aid Canada workshop contact Canadian Mental Health Association, Kamloops Branch:
Phone: 250 374 0440
Fax: 250 374 8718
Email: kamloops@cmha.bc.ca
Website: www.kamloops.cmha.bc.ca
Mental Health First Aid Canada is affiliated with Mental Health First Aid in Australia and Scotland. Mental Health First Aid Canada’s operations are coordinated through Alberta Health Services – Alberta Mental Health Board.
For more information about Mental Health First Aid Canada click here:
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