Positive Mental Health Positive Mental Health and

First Aid as a Civil Skill

Eila Okkonen, Ph.D.

Director of Education Centre

TURKU 2011

Finnish Association for Mental Health

• promotes and works towards good mental health

• stimulates interaction between individuals and communities

• activates to work voluntary for the welfare of communities

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• activates to work voluntary for the welfare of communities

• collects and disseminates information on mental health

• proposes initiatives and publishes reports

• trains professionals, volunteers and civil people

• publishes books and journals

• responds to social challenges in society

• offers support and help

• …

Mental health problems

• one of the leading causes of work

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• one of the leading causes of workabsenteeism and early retirement

Europeans

• 63 % believe that people with mental health

problems are unpredictable

• 37 % think that psychological problems constitute

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• 37 % think that psychological problems constitute

a danger to others

• 21 % believe that psychological or emotional

health problems will never recover

• 14 % maintain that those who have psychological

problems should blame themselves» (Special Europarometer (N=29 250)

Mental health

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• a positive resource in life skill

• a foundation for life

Mentally healthy person

•optimistic

•satisfied

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•satisfied

•able to understand other people

•flexible

•adaptable

The promotion of health is cheaper than

to treat and care for illness

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to treat and care for illnessand

to dismantle piled-up problems

The Positive Mental Health First Aid - course 1

The participants

• will assess their own resources and risk factors

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• will assess their own resources and risk factors

• will be encouraged to take care of their own and support

close ones’ mental well-being

• enhance their own knowledge on positive mental health,

and mental health disorders

• enhance their skills to cope with difficulties and to discuss

difficult issues

Themes of The Positive Mental Health First Aid 1

• Personal resources, coping skills and risk factors

• Loneliness

• Loss and sorrow

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• Loss and sorrow

• Crises of life

• Self destructive behaviour

• Sexuality

• Occupational well-being

• Mental health disorders

The Mental Health First Aid - course 2

Participant will know

• the more common mental health disorders and symptoms

• be aware of alcohol and drug addiction and the adverse

effects of drug use

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effects of drug use

• how to apply the mental health first aid action plan

– how to offer help when necessary

– how to guide the person to therapy

They will learn to identify their own limits to help

- Australian origin, Betty Kitchener and Antony Jorm

The mental health first aidaction plan

1. Approach the person, assess harm and assist with any crisis

2. Listen non-judgementally

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2. Listen non-judgementally

3. Give support and information

4. Encourage appopriate professional help

5. Encourage other supports

pMHFA 1

Mental Health First Aid ® as a Civil Skill - cources

pMHFA 1

- Basic training

MHFA 2

- Basic training

MHFA 2

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pMHFA 1

- Instructer course

MTEA –further education

MHFA 1 or 2

- tailor maid courses

MHFA 2

- Instructer course

Every one

needs mental health and well-being skills,

because

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a major part of mental health work is carried out

in daily life, at home

at work

at school.

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Mental Health First Aid - course 2 2007

Country Since Instructers Participants

Australia 2000 606 55.000

Hong Kong 2003 22 2.000

Scotland 2003 201 6.900

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Scotland 2003 201 6.900

Canada 2004 59 700

Finland 2006 53 1.000

Singapore 2006 19 470

Ireland 2007 15 240

Great Britan 2007 27 60

Total 1002 66.370

In Europe

Every year

• over 25 % of European adults suffer from mental health

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problems

• 58 000 suicides

• 18,4 millions suffer from major depression

• 18,5 millions suffer from specific phobias

(Green paper on Mental Health)

Special Eurobarometer (N=29 250)

When Europeans are feeling bad

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When Europeans are feeling bad

• 53 % would turn to a family member

• 50 % to a health professional

• 22 % to a friend