Happy World Mental Health Day!
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is psychological first aid for all. Psychological first aid (PFA) describes a humane, supportive response to someone who is suffering and may need support.
PFA includes:
- providing practical care and support
- assessing needs and concerns
- listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk
- comforting people and helping them to feel calm
- helping people connect to information, services, and social supports
- protecting people from further harm
PFA involves factors that seem to be most helpful to people’s long-term recovery:
The aim of PFA is to help people in their long-term recovery, by helping them to:
- feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful
- have access to social, physical and emotional support
- feel able to help themselves, as individuals and communities
A full guide can be found here: World Mental Health Day Report (PDF, 3MB).
This is an approach we can all use when we meet people in crisis. Have a think about how you can apply these ideas in your own life, either in work, at home, or out in the community.
At least one in four of us are experiencing a mental health issue at any given time, and everyone’s experiences are unique. At Concern Group, we have a wide range of services designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the people we serve. From talking therapies and supported housing, to dementia care and community groups; all of our services have the individual at the heart of what we do.
If you are experiencing mental ill-health, take a step towards feeling better and find the help you need this World Mental Health Day.
Find out more about our talking therapy services: www.insighthealthcare.org/our-services/talking-therapies
Find out more about Mental Health Concern’s services: www.mentalhealthconcern.org/our-services