Mental Health First Aid is the issue in today’s post. The pilot project to be introduced in St. John NB Canada in September 2009 will train 50 teachers, who will become the first line of help for students suffering from anxiety or depression until they can get the professional help they need.

But, as this article states, the mental health first aid program originated in Australia.  It was brought to Canada through Alberta Mental Health,  and is now being adapted to the New Brunswick program.

Standing on the view that, though we give first aid training to people to help an injured person before medical help arrives, rarely do we give training in mental health problems. And that’s why it’s called Mental Health First Aid.

The course trains people to assist someone in a mental health situation, or who is developing a mental disorder. It teaches how to listen non-judgmentally, to encourage a person to get appropriate professional help, and to encourage self-help strategies. It has been proven, from controlled trials, that it increases knowledge and reduces the stigma and, most importantly, that it increases supportive action for people with mental health issues.”

And this year, November 4 in St. John, NB, Canada, a benefit concert is planned, proceed to go to this worthy cause, mental health first aid.

Read more about it here

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