Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The First Aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
The Mental Health First Aid Programme was developed by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm in 2000 to raise the level of mental health literacy of the local Canberra community. The aim in creating the program was to extend the concept of first aid training to include mental health problems so that community members were empowered to provide better initial support to someone who is developing a mental health problem, has a worsening of an existing mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. Currently 21 countries across the world have recognised and adapted the MHFA Australia program for their own settings.
In 2015 Richmond Foundation was licensed as the Mental Health First Aid provider for Malta. The Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is based on the international MHFA Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using consensus of mental health consumers, carers and professionals from English-speaking developed countries. The Standard MHFA course teaches members of the public how to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
Course participants receive a copy of the Standard MHFA Manual and a certificate of completion, valid for three years.
Trainers: Qualified trainers from Richmond Foundation
Target Audience: All members of staff at UM. The maximum capacity for this course is of 18 participants.
Duration of session: 12 hours
The Mental Health First Aid follows the model that has been successful with conventional First Aid. This course trains members of the public to give early help to developing mental health problems and assistance in crisis situations.
The course currently involves 12 hours of training: 4 modules of 3 hours each.
Trainers: Qualified trainers from Richmond Foundation
Target Audience: Members of staff who have successfully completed the Mental Health First Aid Course and their certification is due to expire.
Duration of session: 4 hours
Course Content
This course will help participants to:
Trainers: Qualified trainers from Richmond Foundation
Target Audience: All members of staff at UM. The maximum capacity for this course is of 18 participants.
Duration of session: 14 hours
The Youth Mental Health First Aid courses provide trainees with updated knowledge, skills and abilities required to provide the necessary assistance and guidance to support individuals facing mental health challenges. This training teaches the participants how to recognise when an adolescent they work with is experiencing a mental health problem and to use their knowledge of mental health first aid to help this young person. The course equips trainees with the skills necessary to help such persons lift themselves from the negative situations that they find themselves in and to seek help.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is divided into 4 sessions as follows:
Session 1:
Session 2:
Session 3:
Session 4:
