#MHAW23 - Mental Health First Aider Q&A Article with Stacey Bird
Atkore Unistrut & Atkore Marco
Industry leading manufacturer of metal framing and cable management systems
In our latest Q&A article, Stacey Bird tells us all about her recent venture into becoming a Mental Health First Aider.
Q1. Why did you become a Mental Health First Aider?
After being around mental health for many years in my home life, I thought this would be a great opportunity to get the qualification and know how to deal with the episodes going forward. I have always been told that I am a very approachable person and am very easy to talk to. I have always made it clear that I am here for anyone to talk to in confidence. I was volunteered for this course by Brian Mason who said he thought I would be perfect for this, and I never hesitated in taking the chance.
Q2. What did you learn during your Mental Health First Aider course? (Key takeaways)
I learnt how important it was to just sit and listen to someone who has approached you regarding their mental health. I also learnt how much just listening to someone can actually help an individual. By just sitting and listening to that individual, it makes them feel like they are the most important person in the room. Things such as taking your watch off and turning your phone over can make the individual feel relaxed with you and can make them feel like you have time for them, and they are not being ignored. The difference between a mental health first aider and a mental health responder was made clear within this course.
Q3. What are your roles and responsibilities as a Mental Health First Aider?
To be able to offer advice on what the next steps are on the path to recovery for that individual or to feeling more like themselves again. Providing professional information such as telephone numbers and email addresses that are related to the issues they are facing.
Q4. If someone would like to become a Mental Health First Aider, what advice would you give to them?
I would say absolutely go for it! It is the best achievement that I have ever done and knowing that I would gain that level of trust by employees makes me very proud.
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Q5. Do you have any tips on maintaining a positive mindset?
The course leader, Nigel, was very helpful when it came to this question. He gave us some ‘homework’ on the first session. He told us to have a ‘happy hour’ on that evening where we did something we enjoyed and had time to wind down and think about the things we had achieved that day. From my opinion, this actually worked and is a brilliant way of maintaining a positive mindset. Taking a 30–60-minute walk with family, playing with your children, cooking and exercising are all tips that I feel will maintain that positive attitude.
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Q6. What key skills do you need to support an individual with poor mental health, including where to signpost them and how to have important wellbeing conversations [1]
I feel the biggest thing to be able to support someone in the correct way is to be able to listen. This is massively important. As I mentioned in one of the previous questions, turn off your phone and take off your watch whilst they are overloading. Make them feel important and make them feel like they are being heard and not judged. This will make them appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to listen to them and talk to them about anything that could be playing on their mind.
If anyone comes for a chat, take them to a safe space. Someone where you will not be disturbed by anyone. This allows the individual to be able to speak freely and open up to you about the issues that are affecting their mental health. If there are large periods of silence, let them minutes of silence pass by. When an individual is ready to talk to you then they will.
Knowing the correct advice to give is also important. You have to know which kind of support network the individual should reach out to. This is because you need to give them the correct contact information so they can seek professional help. Ask them if they would like you to be present when they have that phone call. An individual may not be confident in attending a telephone call by themselves and may want your support. Take the time to be there for them.
Catching up with the individual who has come to you is always a good thing to do. It will make them feel like you care by asking them if they are ok and it may actually make their day.
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