FIRST AID USUALLY BRINGS TO MIND CPR BUT HOW DO YOU HELP SOMEONE HAVING A PANIC ATTACK OR experiencing DEPRESSION?

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About 1 in 5 New Zealand adults experience challenges with mental health in any year.

This means that at some stage, everyone will have close contact with someone experiencing mental health challenges, at home, in the workplace or the wider community.

 

Would you know how to help?

 

Becoming a trained Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) gives you the skills to effectively support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

As innovators in Health and Safety training, IMPAC is excited to add to our fundamental Wellbeing at Work programme. We're offering the new evidence - based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Aotearoa course, teaching students how to effectively support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

This practical training teaches students how to provide initial support to adults experiencing mental illness or crisis, either until the crisis resolves, or they can access specialist help.

The course has been adapted by Te Pou to be specifically relevant within the cultural context of New Zealand, and teaches the ALGEE 5 step action plan:

• Approach, assess and assist any crisis
• Listen and communicate non judgementally
• Give support and information
• Encourage professional help
• Encourage other supports

Supporting mental health is critical in building a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture at work and has far-reaching benefits.

Course duration: 2 days

Prerequisite: Students must be at least 18 years old to attend.

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Course outcomes for students

• Gain confidence in your ability to provide basic support to adults who may be experiencing mental illness, distress or a mental health crisis.

• Understand the most common mental health challenges in New Zealand.

• Know when to intervene, the options for treatment and helpful first aid strategies.

 

Benefits in the workplace

• Practical, accessible mental wellbeing support for your team.

• Empower your team to support one another in times of mental distress.

• Helps to reduce the stigma and promote acceptance of mental illness.

What does the course cover?*

*Trigger warning: The content of this course may be emotionally challenging for some students

Mental Health crises including:

  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Panic attacks
  • Traumatic events
  • Severe psychotic states
  • Severe effects from alcohol or other substance use
  • Aggressive behaviours


Mental Health challenges including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Psychosis
  • Substance use problems
  • Gambling harm
  • Eating disorders


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Why study MHFA with +IMPAC?

Health and Safety is our passion. We are NZ’s leading full-service H&S solutions provider and our highly experienced team deliver NZ’s most comprehensive portfolio of H&S training across the country. Our programme and content are continually developed in line with clients’ needs and industry best practice. The MHFA course is delivered by one of our experienced facilitators.

 

Meet Maxine Bowring

IMPAC Trainer & MHFA Aotearoa Facilitator

Maxine is an Accredited Instructor for the Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa programme. Her personal lived experience of mental health challenges, along with her natural warmth ensure a positive and supportive environment for students. Maxine’s inclusive and engaging delivery gives students confidence in their new-found knowledge, the skills and motivation to help others. She teaches a broad range of public and inhouse H&S courses, across New Zealand.

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