Mental Health First Aid is about helping someone who is struggling with their mental health until they can get professional support.
1. What is Mental Health First Aid?
It is supporting someone safely when they feel stressed, anxious, depressed, or think about suicide.
It is not being a doctor or counsellor — you are there to help, listen, and get professional help if needed.
Anyone can give Mental Health First Aid: students, carers, teachers, support workers, friends, or family.
2. Signs Someone May Need Help
Watch for:
Feeling very sad, anxious, or hopeless
Talking about feeling useless, trapped, or thinking about ending their life
Mood swings, anger, or irritability
Sleeping or eating much more or less than usual
Taking risks, using alcohol or drugs
Avoiding people or activities they used to enjoy
3. How to Help Safely
Step 1 – Approach
Approach the person calmly and respectfully
Check your own safety first
Introduce yourself if needed
Step 2 – Listen
Use active listening: focus, eye contact, nod, show you are paying attention
Do not judge or interrupt
Ask open questions like:
“How are you feeling?”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Step 3 – Reassure & Support
Let them know you care and are there to help
Encourage them to talk to a professional
Don’t force them to do something they are not ready for
Step 4 – Assess Safety
Ask safely if they have thoughts of hurting themselves or suicide
Check if they have a plan or means (pills, weapons)
Keep them safe — don’t leave them alone if they are at risk
Get professional help immediately if they are in danger
Step 5 – Signpost Help
Give contacts for professional support, helplines, or services
4. Helpful Skills to Use
Attending: focus on the person
Active Listening: hear them, nod, show attention
Reflecting & Paraphrasing: repeat back what you understood
Summarising: highlight main points
Focusing: stay on the person and the problem
Rapport Building: be friendly and respectful
Immediacy: act if safety is a concern
5. Where to Get Help
UK
Samaritans – 116 123 / samaritans.org
NHS Talking Therapies
Shout – text SHOUT to 85258
SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Cruse Bereavement Support
USA
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call/text 988 / 988lifeline.org
Veterans Crisis Line – 988, press 1 / text 838255
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Alliance of Hope
Mental Health America (MHA)
Worldwide
Befrienders Worldwide – befrienders.org
International Suicide Hotlines – findahelpline.com
IASP – International Association for Suicide Prevention
Mind International Resources – multilingual info
6. Tips for Supporting Someone
Be patient — they may take time to open up
Listen first — don’t tell them what to do
Be present — your presence matters
Respect boundaries — don’t force them to share
Follow up — check how they are later
Know your limits — get help if you cannot support safely
7. Quick Mental Health First Aid Checklist
✅ Approach calmly and safely
✅ Ask how they are feeling
✅ Listen without judging
✅ Assess safety – thoughts of self-harm?
✅ Reassure and
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