Positive Mental Health and First Aid as a Civil Skill, Eila Okkonen, Ph.D. Director of Education Centre TURKU 2011 Finnish Association for Mental Health

1. Positive Mental Health
and
First Aid as a Civil Skill
Eila Okkonen, Ph.D.
Director of Education Centre
TURKU 2011

2. Finnish
Association for Mental Health
• promotes and works towards good mental health
• stimulates interaction between individuals and communities
• activates to work voluntary for the welfare of communities
• collects and disseminates information on mental health
• proposes initiatives and publishes reports
• trains professionals, volunteers and civil people
• publishes books and journals
• responds to social challenges in society
• offers support and help
•… August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 2

3. Mental health problems
• one of the leading causes of work
absenteeism and early retirement
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 3

4. Europeans
• 63 % believe that people with mental health
problems are unpredictable
• 37 % think that psychological problems constitute
a danger to others
• 21 % believe that psychological or emotional
health problems will never recover
• 14 % maintain that those who have psychological
problems should blame themselves
» (Special Europarometer (N=29 250)
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 4

5. Mental health
• a positive resource in life
skill
• a foundation for life
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 5

6. Mentally healthy person
•optimistic
•satisfied
•able to understand other people
•flexible
•adaptable
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 6

7. The promotion of health
is cheaper than
to treat and care for illness
and
to dismantle piled-up problems
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 7

8. The Positive Mental Health
First Aid - course 1
The participants
• will assess their own resources and risk factors
• will be encouraged to take care of their own and support
close ones’ mental well-being
• enhance their own knowledge on positive mental health,
and mental health disorders
• enhance their skills to cope with difficulties and to discuss
difficult issues
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 8

9. Themes of
The Positive Mental Health First Aid 1
• Personal resources, coping skills and risk factors
• Loneliness
• Loss and sorrow
• Crises of life
• Self destructive behaviour
• Sexuality
• Occupational well-being
• Mental health disorders
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 9

10. The Mental Health First Aid
- course 2
Participant will know
• the more common mental health disorders and symptoms
• be aware of alcohol and drug addiction and the adverse
effects of drug use
• how to apply the mental health first aid action plan
– how to offer help when necessary
– how to guide the person to therapy
They will learn to identify their own limits to help
- Australian origin, Betty Kitchener and Antony Jorm
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 10

11. The mental health first aid
action plan
1. Approach the person, assess harm and
assist with any crisis
2. Listen non-judgementally
3. Give support and information
4. Encourage appopriate professional help
5. Encourage other supports
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 11

12. Mental Health First Aid ®
as a Civil Skill - cources
pMHFA 1 MHFA 2
- Basic training - Basic training
pMHFA 1 MHFA 2
- Instructer course - Instructer course
MHFA 1 or 2
- tailor maid courses
MTEA –further education
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 12

13. Every one
needs mental health and well-being skills,
because
a major part of mental health work is carried out
in daily life, at home
at work
at school.
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 13

14. August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 14

15. Mental Health First Aid
- course 2 2007
Country Since Instructers Participants
Australia 2000 606 55.000
Hong Kong 2003 22 2.000
Scotland 2003 201 6.900
Canada 2004 59 700
Finland 2006 53 1.000
Singapore 2006 19 470
Ireland 2007 15 240
Great Britan 2007 27 60
Total 1002 66.370
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 15

16. In Europe
Every year
• over 25 % of European adults suffer from mental health
problems
• 58 000 suicides
• 18,4 millions suffer from major depression
• 18,5 millions suffer from specific phobias
(Green paper on Mental Health)
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 16

17. Special Eurobarometer (N=29 250)
When Europeans are feeling bad
• 53 % would turn to a family member
• 50 % to a health professional
• 22 % to a friend
August 11 Okkonen, Education Center 17