Scottish Mental Health First Aid

Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training is part of the the Scottish Government's National Programme for Improving mental health and well-being. It is based on work pioneered in Australia. The training has been adapted and improved to suit the Scottish culture and is being rolled out across Scotland.

So far 6000 people have taken part in the training throughout Scotland. The course is for everyone in Scotland, whoever they are and wherever they may live, including you.....

About the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing

The National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing was launched in October 2001. It is part of the Scottish Government's Health Department, and takes the lead on positive mental health and wellbeing improvement. The key aims of the programe are:

Raising awareness and promoting mental health and wellbeing
Eliminating stigma and discrimintation around mental ill health
Preventing suicide and supporting people bereaved by suicide
Promoting and supporting recovery from mental health problems

What does mental health first aid training involve?

Scottish Mental health first aid (SMHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. The aims of SMHFA are:

To preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
To provide help to prevent the mental health problem developing into a more serious state
To promote the recovery of good mental health
To provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem

SMHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people: