Posted: Wednesday 2 November 2011
A study conducted by the University of Glamorgan found that:
Mental Health First Aid is a flexible 12 hour course that trains people in how to give initial help to someone experiencing a mental health problem; how to deal with a crisis situation where someone becomes very distressed, or is showing the first signs of poor mental health; and guiding people towards getting appropriate help. Nearly 7,000 people have been trained across Wales to date while the figure for the UK as a whole is around 50,000.
Previous research from randomised controlled trials and qualitative studies has shown the course to be effective but the new evaluation report is the first to focus specifically on how the course is working in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Health and Social Services, said:
The Welsh Government is committed to improving mental health and wellbeing. Since 2008, we have provided funding and support for Mental Health First Aid (Wales) which aims to improve awareness of mental health issues among the general population.
Training mental health first aiders has enormous benefits for individuals, families, communities and workplaces. It provides people with the skills and confidence to support people showing signs of mental ill health at an early opportunity. Earlier intervention and prevention are crucial to improving the mental and physical wellbeing of our nation.
Lindsay Foyster, Director of Mind Cymru, was keen to emphasise the benefits of training mental health first aiders to businesses:
Employers acknowledge the importance of having people trained in physical First Aid. However, with mental health problems vying with musculoskeletal disorders as the main cause of sickness absence, it’s now time for more employers to recognise the business benefits of having mental health first aiders.
With poor mental health costing British businesses an estimated £26 billion every year, and one in six workers currently experiencing stress, anxiety or depression, it’s vital that we take practical action.
Mind Cymru will be at the Spotlight North Wales business event in Llandudno on Friday 4 November to provide information and advice on good mental health and wellbeing to employers and employees.
A copy of the Evaluation of the Mental Health First Aid (Wales) training course is available on the Mental Health First Aid (Wales) website
For more information on Mental Health First Aid (Wales), please visit
www.mhfa-wales.org.uk or contact :
Kim Pugh
MHFA Project Manager
Email: k.pugh@mind.org.uk
Tel: 029 2034 6581