Earlier last year I decided I wanted to learn something new, and expand on my knowledge about mental health and get a better understanding of mental health. I have many, many years of first hand experiences supporting child and young adults with autism, learning disabilities and other addionial needs. However as a result of COVID19 and the lockdown, I was seeing an ever increasing number of my clients and families finding it really tough coping, managing and even starting with mental health issues. I then decided I wanted to support them in some way, so I decided to take on an online open university course in mental health. After 6 months of long hours studying, writing articles and completing assignments, I have now become qualified as a “Mental Health First Aider and Advocate”.
So what is a Mental Health First Aider and Advocate you may wonder..?
It’s to be a point of contact for anyone who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting a person to get appropriate help. It’s also to create a culture of positive mental health and support people to build an understanding of mental health issues and concerns.
A mental health first aider also has the knowledge and skills to support someone struggling with their mental health or in crisis. They are able to spot the signs of a range of mental illnesses, using a clear and defined step by step process.