The Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) course teaches people mental health first aid skills. Like physical first aid, the SMHFA course teaches a practical Action Plan, ALGEE, to guide the support provided. SMHFA is complementary to other workplace mental health training programs that are aimed at building awareness of mental health problems in the workplace. It differs from most of these programs with its focus on equipping employees with the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide appropriate support to others who may be experiencing mental health problems.
Completing an SMHFA course helps staff to develop the skills to support a co-worker, friend or family member. The skills are transferable to all sorts of situations, so can have a positive impact both within the workplace and in the broader community.
It has been shown that SMHFA training is associated with:
- Improved knowledge of mental illnesses, their treatments and appropriate first aid strategies.
- Confidence in providing first aid to a person experiencing a mental health problem.
- Decreases in stigmatising attitudes.
- Increases in the amount and type of support.