Friday, 27 March 2026

📘 FULL TRAINING COURSE 🧠 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

 

🟦 MODULE 1: Introduction to Mental Health & MHFA


🎯 Learning Goals

By the end of this module, you will:

  • Understand what mental health is
  • Understand what MHFA is
  • Know why MHFA is important
  • Recognise basic mental health concepts

📘 What is Mental Health?

Mental health is:

👉 How we think 🧠
👉 How we feel 💙
👉 How we behave 👣

It helps us:

  • Cope with stress
  • Learn and work
  • Build relationships
  • Live our daily life

⚖️ Mental Health is a Spectrum

Mental health can:

  • Change over time
  • Be good or difficult
  • Be different for everyone

👉 Everyone has mental health.


🤝 What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) means:

👉 Helping someone who is struggling with their mental health

You help:

  • Before they get professional help
  • Or until the crisis is over

🎯 Why MHFA is Important

MHFA helps:

  • 💙 Support people in crisis
  • 🧠 Improve understanding
  • 🚫 Reduce stigma
  • 🤝 Encourage people to get help

🧩 Key Idea

👉 You do not need to be an expert to help someone.
👉 Listening and kindness matter.


✏️ Activity

Think about this:

  • What helps you feel supported?
  • Who do you talk to when you feel upset?

❓ Quick Check

  1. What is mental health?
  2. What does MHFA mean?
  3. Can mental health change?

✅ Answers

  1. How we think, feel, and behave
  2. Helping someone with mental health problems
  3. Yes


🟩 MODULE 2: Understanding Mental Health Problems


🎯 Learning Goals

By the end of this module, you will:

  • Recognise common mental health conditions
  • Understand warning signs
  • Learn how to respond

🧠 Common Mental Health Conditions

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems

👀 Warning Signs

Look for changes in:

  • Mood
  • Behaviour
  • Thinking
  • Sleep
  • Eating

Examples:

  • Feeling very sad or low
  • Worrying a lot
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Confusion or unusual thoughts
  • Using drugs or alcohol more

⚠️ Crisis Signs

A person may be in crisis if:

  • They talk about suicide
  • They feel hopeless
  • They are in danger
  • They cannot stay safe

👉 Always take these signs seriously.


🤝 How to Respond

  • Stay calm
  • Listen
  • Be supportive
  • Do not judge
  • Ask if they are safe

🧩 Important Rule

👉 If someone is in danger, get help immediately.

  • Call emergency services
  • Call 988 (USA Crisis Line)

✏️ Activity

What would you do?

A friend says:

“I don’t want to be here anymore.”

  • What would you say?
  • What would you do?

❓ Quick Check

  1. Name one warning sign
  2. What should you do if someone is in danger?
  3. Should you judge the person?

✅ Answers

  1. Sadness, anxiety, withdrawal
  2. Get help / call emergency services
  3. No


🟨 MODULE 3: The 5-Step ALGEE Action Plan


🎯 Learning Goals

By the end of this module, you will:

  • Understand ALGEE
  • Use the 5 steps in real situations
  • Feel confident supporting others

🧩 What is ALGEE?

ALGEE is a simple action plan:


🟦 A – Assess for Risk

  • Is the person in danger?
  • Are they thinking about suicide or harm?

👉 If YES:

  • Get help immediately

🟦 L – Listen Non-Judgmentally

  • Let them talk
  • Do not interrupt
  • Do not judge

👉 Just listen and show care


🟦 G – Give Reassurance and Information

  • Stay calm
  • Say: “You are not alone”
  • Share helpful information

🟦 E – Encourage Professional Help

  • Suggest a doctor or counsellor
  • Help them find support

🟦 E – Encourage Self-Help

  • Talk to friends or family
  • Try coping strategies
  • Look after physical health

💡 Key Reminder

👉 MHFA is support, not therapy
👉 You are a bridge to professional help


🧠 Example

Someone is anxious:

  • You listen 👂
  • You reassure 💙
  • You suggest support 🤝

✏️ Activity

Practice ALGEE:

Think of a situation where someone is upset.

Write:

  • A – What is the risk?
  • L – What would you say?
  • G – How would you reassure them?
  • E – What help would you suggest?
  • E – What self-help would you suggest?

❓ Quick Check

  1. What does ALGEE stand for?
  2. Should you listen without judging?
  3. What is the final step?

✅ Answers

  1. Assess, Listen, Give reassurance, Encourage help, Encourage self-help
  2. Yes
  3. Encourage self-help


🌍 FINAL KEY MESSAGE

👉 Mental health is important
👉 Everyone can help
👉 Listening can save lives 💙
👉 MHFA helps people get support

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