Mental Health First Aid Training

As more research and information on mental health becomes available, we now know workplaces can play either a positive or negative role in employee’s mental health. With most adults spending the majority of their waking hours at the work, it is critical we address issues of mental health in the workplace. This is important not only for employee well-being but also to reduce the impact mental health issues have on organizations.

Mental Health Statistics

• Mental health issues account for 30% of all short and long term disability claims.
• Mental health issues cost over $50 billion annually due to health care costs, lost time claims, and other work disruptions.
• 500,000 Canadians miss work for mental health problems or illnesses each week.
• 4% of the working population in Canada currently experience mental health problems or illnesses.
• 1 in 5 Canadians face a mental health challenge each year
• Only 23% of Canadians feel comfortable talking to their employer about their mental health problems or illnesses because of fear of discrimination or dismissal.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just like physical first aid is administered to an injured person prior to medical treatment, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.

Mental Health First Aid is an international program proven effective. Peer-reviewed studies published in multiple countries show that individuals trained in the program:

• Increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health problems,
• Decrease the social distance between themselves and someone with a mental health problem,
• Increase their ability to identify professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health problem,
• Increase their confidence to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis, and
• Increase their own mental wellness.

Mental Health First Aid Basic Training

The MHFA Basic course is intended for adults interacting with adults (18 years and older).

Wrightline Consulting Inc. offers the MHFA Basic course both public and private. To attend a public course please check the calendar for upcoming dates. For private courses with 8 - 25 participants please email wrightlineconsulting@gmail.com.

The course includes twelve hours instruction over two days. Public courses run 8:30am - 4:00pm both days, with two 15-minute breaks and an hour lunch break. These hours are flexible for organizations booking private, in-house courses.

Note, the MHFA Basic training does not teach people how to be therapists, however it does teach people how to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems,
• Provide initial help, and
• Guide a person toward appropriate professional help.

 *As per the MHCC there must be a minimum eight participants per course.

Contact Wrightline Consulting Inc. about Mental Health First Aid Training.

MHFA Pay it Forward