Mental Health First Aiders

Our work repeatedly reminds us of the saddening truth that we live in a traumatised society, and that experience of poor mental health / mental ill health is widespread. With statistics inevitably missing the reams of unreported or misreported data, to know that 1 in 4 people have reported experience of poor mental health each year is devastating yet unsurprising. However, despite increasing awareness, especially following a collective crisis of poor mental health exacerbated by our shared pandemic experience - informed knowledge is low and misunderstanding rife. Sadly, this tends to reinforce the damaging stigma that sharpens the already challenging emotional experience of poor mental health / mental ill health.  Something we are keen to tackle - and play whatever role we can in the resolution of. It is for this reason that our interactions with vulnerable audiences are governed by our CHATS (Collaboration, Hope, Agency, Transparency, Safety) participatory research principles, but also why all our team are proudly Mental Health First Aid-trained. It is an invaluable complement to our sensitive approach to engaging with the people we speak to.   Having recently attended the training course, three particular things stood out to me as useful: 

1. Their ALGEE framework provides structure and rigour around how we support people in the moment, and can dovetail neatly with our approach to safeguarding: Approach, assess, assist with any crisis; Listen and communicate non-judgmentally; Give support and information; Encourage appropriate professional help; Encourage other support 
2. The focus on FEELINGS speaks to the essence of our work – we are not equipped to provide advice, but to understand people’s experience. Interesting when ‘tell me how you feel about that?’ questions are a consistent feature of the conversations we have with participants. 
3. The importance placed on acknowledging FRAMES OF REFERENCE i.e. the myriad of personal life factors and experiences that ‘frame’ how we see others and is the source of any unconscious/conscious bias. To attempt to dismantle this frame is futile, but being aware of it allows us to mindfully acknowledge and set it aside when it rears its head, thus mitigating the influence of bias. 

Whilst it is of particular relevance to our work with vulnerable audiences, we feel the skills and understanding MHFA training offers are critical to shaping a healthier society and making more comfortable the lived experience of those with poor mental health / mental ill health. Find out more here, and please spread the word, especially this Time to Talk Day and beyond!