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Last Modified 07/22/04

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid was presented by Ken Loos of High Plains Mental Health Center at the Center for Life Experiences.  This is a 12-hour training course for anyone who would like to learn some key skills for helping someone with a mental health problem.

The first course on November 3 focused on depression and suicide.  Some interesting facts are as follows:

• The disability impact from moderate depression is similar to the disability from relapsing multiple sclerosis, severe asthma, chronic Hepatitis B, or deafness.
• Depressed people remember negative events and comments, but brush off positive remarks and compliments.
• As a group, men 85+ commit suicide most often.
• At least six close survivors are affected by each suicide.
• Men commit suicide more often than women.  Women attempt more often than men.
• The quality of your friends matters more than the number of your friends.
• Listen!  Keep the conversation going.  Suicide is a time-limited crisis.  94% of people attempting/contemplating suicide make it through with intervention.
• The maximum effect of antidepressants takes 4-6 weeks.
• High Plains Mental Health does not turn people away due to inability to pay.  There is a sliding fee scale.

Some of the indicators that you are not listening appropriately include:

• Stating "I understand."
• Finishing someone's sentence
• Answering the problem before you hear what the entire problem is
• Refusing thanks by saying you really haven't done anything.  Good replies instead of "no problem" include "glad I could help," "my pleasure," "hope it helps," and "you're welcome."

The second course on November 10 discussed anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health related disorder in the United States.  People with anxiety disorders are motivated to feel better and tend to follow through with treatment.

Slow, consistent deep breathing was emphasized throughout the session to reduce anxiety.  People experiencing anxiety disorders respond well to someone who helps them calm themselves by stating "watch me,"  placing your hand on your chest (never touching the person), and encouraging the person to breathe in for 6 seconds - hold the breath 3 seconds - breathe out for 6 seconds and hold the breath for 3 seconds, so there are about 10 breaths per minute.

Panic attacks often exhibit symptoms similar to those of a heart attack.  People who have panic attacks can alert you "I'm having an attack."  Panic attacks come out of the blue and last about 10 minutes.

Agoraphobia (the fear of wide-open spaces) causes people to isolate themselves into smaller and smaller rooms.

Caffeine has a significant effect on someone with anxiety issues.  Limit daily intake to 300 mg daily and refrain from caffeinated beverages after 3:00 pm.

Anxiety is best overcome by confronting fears rather than avoiding it.  Anxiety can be unpleasant but rarely harmful.

Psychotic disorders were the focus of the third presentation on November 17.  Psychosis is a mental disorder in which a person has lost some contact with reality.  The main psychotic disorders include schizophrenia (affecting 1% of the population), psychotic mania, psychotic depression, schizoaffective disorder, and drug-induced psychosis.

Some interesting facts about psychotic disorders are as follows:

• Schizophrenia is not a constant or static condition and people can recover.  25% of people fully recover.
• Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings including both mania and depression.
• Psychotic disorders involve a high risk of suicide.  There is a higher risk of suicide than causing harm to someone else.  A psychotic individual is more likely to be the victim of a crime than the perpetrator.
• Accept the delusions and hallucinations are real for the person but do not pretend they are real for you.
• Don't assume all unusual happenings are hallucinations.  For example, there may really be a gas leak when a person with hallucinations smells gas.
• The most common thoughts are that the police or government are watching.
• Avoid sarcasm.
• About 3 in 10 adults in the United States drink at levels that increase their risk for physical, mental health and social problems.
• Only about 2% of the population have a cannabis (marijuana) problem of abuse and dependence.

There are ways to help someone who doesn't want help.  Some of these tips include:

• Discuss situation with local mental health crisis team.
• Attend a mental health family or peer support group.
• Make an appointment with a medical doctor or mental health professional to talk about the problem.
• Find out about involuntary treatment.
• Help write an advance care directive.

The final session of Mental Health First Aid, focusing on eating disorders and self injury, was held December 1.

To learn more about Mental Health First Aid, please contact High Plains Mental Health at 785-628-2871.