Home - Mental health first aid

We carried out a psychosocial environment analysis in our organisation based on the techniques learned during the course. We talked about what we like and what needs to change. It was very helpful for our small collective.

I was surprised to find out that mental health first aid is not the same as professional counselling and that the techniques for supporting a person in crisis are relatively simple. It was also good to be reminded of how important it is to actively listen to someone in crisis.

I learned a five-step comprehensive programme for mental health first aid that has helped me a lot in my line of work.

With the skills learned from the course, I have managed to alleviate quite a few panic attacks and calmed down a client with suicidal thoughts.

I have gathered the courage to talk to a few of my friends who I didn’t dare to talk to before. I got encouragement for approaching someone head on when I see that they have troubles.

The course helped to assure me that I am able to provide mental health first aid as an employer without having to be a psychotherapist. Specific techniques and practiced skills gave a good basis for that.

First aid for mental health is a simple 5-step support system

Do you sometimes notice someone, who seems to be troubled with their mental health, but you don’t really know how to start a conversation with them or how to support them? Giving first air for mental health is a learnable skill that can be given by anyone!

STEP 1

Make contact

STEP 2

Listen with care

STEP 3

Provide support

STEP 4

Encourage action

STEP 5

Practice self-care

Progress towards our goal

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Our goal is to train at least 1% of the Estonian population

Our dream is that every Estonian could feel that their mental health issues are being recognised and supported. To achieve this dream, we wish to train at least 1% of the Estonian population (13 000 people) to be capable of giving mental health first aid by 2022. We need your help to achieve that goal! Do you want to team up with us and help us achieve that goal?

First aid for mental health is a simple 5-step support system

STEP 1: Make contact

Your first task is to approach the individual and try to understand if they are in the middle of a crisis.

Find a fitting time and place where you both feel safe.
If they don’t start a conversation with you or tell you how they feel then start one yourself.
Approach them and tell them that you are worried about them.
Respect their privacy and confidentiality.

The one giving first aid for mental health should have the knowledge of determining a possible situation of crisis:

Could they hurt themselves?
Is their behaviour disturbing others (are they aggressive or have they lost touch with reality)?

If the situation is critical then you should seek help immediately and, if necessary, call the emergency number 112. If it is not critical then you can move on to the next steps.

STEP 2: Listen with care

When giving first aid for mental health, it is important to listen to the person without prejudices and without judging them.

When you are listening to them, you should set your judgements regarding their person or their situation aside. Most people in stress just wish that someone would unjudgementally listen to their story before they are offered help or solutions. To do that effectively, you should implement specific attitudes and listening skills that:

would allow you to really listen and understand what you are being told and that would make the other person feel like they can talk to you about their problems freely and without being judged.

First aid for mental health is a simple 5-step support system

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

Our goal is to train at least 1% of the Estonian population

First aid for mental health is a simple 5-step support system

STEP 1: Make contact

STEP 2: Listen with care

First aid for mental health courses are funded by

Join our course!

Do you want to be one of the 1% of Estonians who can give mental health first aid?