MIAW - The Action Plan!

In Australia, the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program was developed to teach people, members of the public, how to recognize and assist other people who are developing mental health problems or are in a mental health crisis situation. The MHFA Action Plan gives guidance on how people can do this. This Action Plan and the curriculum of the 12-hour face-to- face course or a blended course (eLearning and face-to-face sections) are based on extensive research, which established a consensus of the expert opinions of people with mental illness, their family members and mental health professionals.

The Action Plan they opted is:

A: Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis

L: Listen non-judgmentally

G: Give support and information

E: Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

E: Encourage other supports

ALGEE is the acronym that they use which actually doesn't have a meaning in the English language.

ACTION 1: Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis

The first task is to approach the person, look out for any crises and assist the person in dealing with them. The key points are to:

☆ Approach the person about your concerns

☆ Find a suitable time and space where you both feel comfortable

☆ If the person does not initiate a conversation with you about how they are feeling, you should say something to them

☆ Respect the persons privacy and confidentiality.

A mental health first aider needs to Iook out for and assist with any possible crisis such as:

The person may harm themselves (e.g. by attempting suicide, by using substances to become intoxicated or by en-gaging in non-suicidal self-injury);

☆ The person experiences extreme distress (e.g. a panic attack, a traumatic event or a severe psychotic state);

☆ The persons behaviour is very disturbing to others (e.g. they become aggressive or lose touch with reality).

☆ If the first aider has no concerns that the person is in crisis, they can ask the person about how they are feeling and how long they have been feeling that way.

ACTION 2: Listen non-judgmentally

It is important to listen non-judgmentally at all times when providing mental health first aid. When listening, any judg- ments about the person or their situation need to be set aside, and not expressed. Most people who are experiencing distressing emotions and thoughts want to be listened to empathetically before being offered options and resources that may help them. When listening non-judgmentally, the first aider needs to adopt certain attitudes and uses verbal and non-verbal listening skills that:

☆ Allow the listener to really hear and understand what is being said to them, and

☆ Make it easier for the other person to feel they can talk freely about their problems without being judged.

ACTION 3: Give support and information

Once a person with a mental health problem has felt listened to, it can be easier for the first aider to offer support and information. The support to offer at the time includes emotional support, such as empathising with how the person feels and offering the hope of recovery, and practical help with tasks that may seem overwhelming at the moment. Also, the first aider can ask the person whether they would like some information about mental health problems.

ACTION 4: Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

The first aider can also tell a person about any options available to them for help and support. A person with mental health problems will generally have a better recovery with appropriate professional help. However, they may not know about the various options that are available to them, such as medication, counselling or psychological therapy, support for family members, assistance with vocational and educational goals, and assistance with income and accommodation.

ACTION 5: Encourage other supports

Encourage the person to use self-help strategies and to seek the support of family, friends and others. Other people who have experienced mental health problems can also provide valuable help in the persons recovery.

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I really love the idea of this action plan and love how unknowingly, we are using this on 7cups. On this World Mental Health Day, let's spread the word about this plan and help everyone to follow it!