MHFA
How to learn mental health first aid
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In typical first aid courses, immediate measures for medical emergencies are learned – but only for physical ones. Definitely vital! But what about psychological emergencies? MHFA courses are intended to supplement this.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA, in German: First Aid for Mental Health) deals with a basic knowledge of how to help in psychological crises. The courses are offered for both private individuals and companies.
Why MHFA? Relevant like never before
The peak in absenteeism statistics shows how relevant such an offer is DAK Psychoreport 2023. According to this, in 2022 around 301 days of incapacity for work per 100 insured people are recorded due to mental illnesses. Most common: depression and adjustment disorders. Chronic exhaustion and anxiety disorders were also common. In a ten-year comparison, this is a total increase of 48 percent.
What does an MHFA first aider do?
So it seems now more than ever time to no longer just learn how to reventilate, how to stop bleeding or how to secure an accident site, but also to deal with it. how alcoholic people should best be dealt with, how one should react if someone suggests suicidal thoughts, experiences a panic attack or how feelings such as powerlessness and emptiness can be helped. These and other questions are addressed in MHFA courses that originate in Australia. In addition to basic knowledge and first aid measures, exercises are completed to consolidate what has been learned.
Conditions, costs & Co.
On the website For MHFA first aiders, all courses can be viewed throughout Germany. The offer is aimed at adults; no previous knowledge is required. However, it is not advisable to take part if you have your own acute mental health problems. As a rule, four three-hour modules are offered in person and six two-hour modules online. The online cost is 259 euros; face-to-face offers must be requested directly from the provider. Once a course has been completed, participants can take an online test to become accredited first aiders.
Mental Health First Aid is becoming more and more popular, and there are now some first aiders at colleges and universities. Compared to conventional first aid courses, MHFA has not yet reached the entire population – but what is not yet can still be. The relevance definitely exists.
Sources used: mhfa-ersthelfer.de, statista.com, dak.de