Mental Health First Aid, A New Way of Dealing With an Approaching Crisis

Mental health first aid is not an expression one usually hears. Perhaps you might agree that this is one way of dealing with an approaching crisis. It may seem like applying a band-aid before a cut. Does it work? One must suggest that from a preventive, mental health, first aid perspective, it does make sense, and yes, it does work.

What is mental health first aid?

It is defined as “the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis”. It involves the recognition of potential signs and symptoms of mental health problems, providing help initially and guiding the person who needs help to a professional.

Is it possible to avert an approaching mental health crisis?

When a mental health crisis is approaching, there are many ways of responding that are positive and pro-active. Intervention can often prove beneficial. For example, a young man is drinking heavily. He is angry with someone and threatening to do damage to personal property. A friend recognizes the reality of what is happening, takes an appropriate, mental health, first aid measure to prevent it from going any further and averts the crisis. The young man receives preventative, mental health, first aid and then later, professional mental health counseling and changes his life.

Are there warning signs of an approaching crisis?

Many times, an approaching mental health crisis has warning signs. There are those who will heed them and take appropriate action, but also those who choose to ignore them for various reasons. For example, a river running through a small town is rising rapidly. There is serious danger of flooding. Many people in the town are in a state of panic, a typical fear response, but not a mentally healthy response. A young couple recognizes the reality of the pending danger. They take immediate action and notify the authorities, as well as responsible residents of the town. They arrange for men to reinforce the riverbanks with sand and find a school bus to evacuate women and children from homes that may be in danger. Mentally, this is a positive, pro-active and healthy, mental health, first aid response averting a potential crisis. Disaster relief counselors help people cope after the flood wanes. This can prevent future mental health crises related to loss or grief.              

What is appropriate first aid action in a mental health crisis?

Appropriate first aid action in a mental health crisis involves a positive, pro-active and preventative approach to the approaching crisis. One person who assumes appropriate leadership can avert a crisis protecting the lives of others, at the same time. For example, an older, unemployed man is furious at the government about losing his small business due to lack of available funding and decides to take drastic action at a political rally. He stands on the platform ranting, as he waves a gun at the crowd. A young politician recognizes the man, is able to approach him quietly with a cup of coffee and quietly leads him towards a waiting police officer. Once again, an approaching crisis averted by one man, saves the lives of many people.   

Common sense, preventative, first aid measures are applicable in many potential mental health crises. Prevention is always an important part of first aid, although not always seen as such when it comes to mental health. Emotional, spiritual, physical and mental health, go together and what affects one aspect of a human life impinges upon them all. 

Anyone who is serious about helping people can become involved in mental health first aid or actively seek training in that area of inquiry.