What is the theory behind this Mental Health First Aid Worksheet?
This worksheet is based on the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan with the acronym ‘ALGEE’. Mental Health First Aid refers to the immediate actions taken to provide help to a person suffering from a mental health crisis till they receive the appropriate professional help. It includes a variety of skills and guidelines that can be easily learned by individuals to ensure they are capable of providing help before a professional can intervene.
How will the worksheet help?
The worksheet will help increase awareness about the ALGEE mental health first aid action plan that provides an easy to follow guideline to the general public on how to respond to mental health or substance abuse crises. The purpose is to cultivate a community that understands mental health issues and readily provides help where needed instead of succumbing to the stigma associated with it.
How to use the worksheet?
This worksheet can be used in public mental health awareness programs in schools, colleges and workplaces.It can also be helpful for caregivers of clients receiving therapy and treatment for mental health disorders or substance abuse.
Mental Health First Aid Worksheet
This is the Mental Health First Aid Action Place called ‘ALGEE’ as designed by Mental Health First Aid Australia (MFHA)
| Step 1: Approach, assess and assist with any crisis | Approach the person at an appropriate timeShow your concerns Maintain a respectful conversation Keep their identity confidentialAssess current behaviour: for mental health crisis look out for chances of harming themselves or others, signs of extreme distress, aggression, detachment from realityIf the person is not in a mental health crisis move to step 2. |
| Step 2: Listen non-judgementally | Listen to their concerns without showing any judgements or harsh criticismsMake sure you convey that you are actively listening to them through both verbal and non-verbal skills. |
| Step 3: Give reassurance and information | Offer reassurance about getting help after you have thoroughly listened to their concerns.Depending on the situation you can provide emotional support by showing empathy with their thoughts and feelings or you could lend a hand with any physical task that they were doing. |
| Step 4: Encourage appropriate professional help | Help them search for facilities nearby that can provide professional help. Gather information about nearby facilities or treatment options and share with themThey may not be aware that they can get help or get treated |
| Step 5:Encourage other supports | Tell them about self help coping skills and how they can be useful to them in such situationsEncourage them to seek social support from their family, friends or community |
References
You can download this worksheet here.