Overview

Mental Health First Aid Ireland is a national training and research programme. Mental health first aid is the help offered to a person who is developing a mental health problem or who is experiencing a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received or until the crisis resolves. It follows the model that has been successful with conventional first aid. Vision Our vision is a supportive community in Ireland with a willingness to address mental health problems when they arise and enable recovery. Mission Our purpose is to deliver the Mental Health First Aid programme throughout Ireland. The Objectives of Mental Health First Aid Ireland are: • to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental health problems • to improve attitudes towards people with mental illness and reduce stigma • to build resilience within our communities, empowering people with the tools to address problems early and enable recovery • to promote engagement with all strategies and resources available to support people with mental health difficulties • to add to the current knowledge base about the impact of MHFA and continuously improve the programme offered International Experience • MHFA is available in 24 countries worldwide and this number is growing. • Over 4 million people have been trained worldwide. • A comprehensive evaluation of the evidence base for the programme carried out on behalf of the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden concluded that the MHFA programme was ‘recommendable for public health action’. Mental Health First Aid Ireland is a service of Saint John of God Hospital Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered Charity Number 20069858