Have you ever heard about the youth mental health first aid? Well, mental health has always been a cause of concern in our society and one needs to address the issue. With increasing competition and pressure mental health has taken a toll on the young health. The young generation is the one who is affected by these mental health issues the most.
In our society, adults are facing anxiety and depression disorder. So, if you are also facing any such issue then this writing about youth mental health first aid will be helpful for you. Make sure to read this guide thoroughly. A youth mental health first aid is a course that is designed to spread awareness about mental health. To know about this course in detail read ahead.
What Is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Well, youth mental health first aid is a course that is designed to spread awareness by teaching parents, workers, neighbors, and everyone in general by teaching them about mental health. This course is designed to help adults who are facing issues related to their mental health or addiction challenges.
It is an 8-hour long course that will cover all the risk factors and warning signs that the young generation is facing. This course doesn’t help you diagnose any mental health issue or disorder or how you can provide therapy to someone. In this course, you will learn how you can support a youth who has some developing symptoms of mental health issues.
This course has a 5 action plan which is to assess the risk of suicide or self-harm, listen to the victim without judging, provide reassurance to the victim, encourage the victim to take professional help, and lastly encourage them to self-help. This course is particularly designed with information that you can use to help the affected youth.
How To Use Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Now that you are aware of what youth mental health first aid is it’s time to focus on how you can make use of this course to help the youth around you. As discussed earlier youth mental health first aid depends on 5 action plans which we are going to highlight below. So, make sure to read carefully.
1. Reach Out To The Victim To Assess The Risk Of Self Harm Or Suicide
The very first action of this course is to reach out to people who are in crisis. If possible plan in advance about the place and what you want to ask the victim. While talking to the victim try to understand the cause of the issue.
2. Listen To The Victim Without Judging
You have to make the victim feel safe and secure around you. You have to listen to their story without judging them even though they have done something wrong. By doing this the victim will be able to share their story with you.
3. Provide Support And Needed Information
If the victim is not much aware of the mental health issues and disorders then it is your duty to inform them with all the needed information. Along with this you also need to provide support to the victim to get through their mental health issue.
4. Encourage The Victim To Take Professional Help
Taking help from a mental health care professional is nothing to be ashamed of and people need to understand this. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. So, if the victim is facing any such issue which requires professional help you need to encourage them to take it.
5. Encourage Other Supports To Victim
The family and friends of the victim should learn about the issue the victim is facing so that they can help the victim wherever needed. You can also give practical assistance to the victim so that their other life areas won’t get affected by their mental health.
Who Should Seek Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Now that you know everything related to young mental health first aid now the question arises who should seek MHFA? Well, anyone who is facing some sort of mental health issue or disorder can get help from the MHFA. There are various myths around us regarding mental health that make us uncomfortable while asking for help but a mental health first aider will help you understand your mental health and get you the needed help.
Wrapping Up!
Mental health has always been a cause but earlier people were not much vocal about it. Now, there are many awareness programs and courses that can help you to understand mental health and take help whenever needed. So, this is all about youth mental health first aid courses. For more such articles related to mental health, anxiety, and depression make sure to come back to healthfittalks. Also, if you ever want to vent out your thoughts we are here just leave a comment in the comment box. Thank you!