We often talk about first aid for when we get physical injuries, but do we talk about it mental health first aid? In this article Rosemary, member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group, looks at mental health first aid, what it is and what you can do.
Imagine your best friend texts you: “I’m really struggling, I feel so low and I don’t know what to do.” What is your first instinct? Do you panic? Do you try to fix it with a joke or do you find yourself leaving them unread because you’re scared of saying the wrong thing.
Life is a rollercoaster. We all try to be better versions of ourselves but sometimes the ride can get too heavy. Youth mental health first aid isn’t about being a therapist, it’s about learning how to spot the signs of distress and knowing how to hold the space for someone until professional help is available.
Think about this: you are playing football on a Saturday, you accidentally slip on a patch of mud and you go flying. Now you’ve scraped your knee. Do you hide the blood and keep running so your friends don’t think you are weak? Probably not, you know that without a little bit of cleaning (first aid) and a bandage, the scrape could get infected and much worse. Mental health is exactly the same here it’s okay to feel sad, overwhelmed, or depressed. But the real danger isn’t the feeling itself; it is the pressure to conceal it.
By joining the youth mental health first aid programme you are not just learning facts, you’ll gain the bag of tricks to use to manage your own stress container while being there for your best friends, siblings or even strangers. One of the most powerful methods, I’ve learnt is the ALGEE method. This is a practical step by step method to show up for someone:
- Approach, assess and assist
- Listen non judgementally
- Give information and advice
- Encourage professional support
- Encourage other support
You don’t need a degree to save a life; you just need the right skills and a little bit of heart. Come learn how to be the person you’d want in your corner during a tough time. Let’s look out for each other. Join the programme today.
Rosemary
