Mental Health First Aid Training is just as important as CPR

I attended an amazing Mental Health First Aid Training course, taught by Amy Stern, supervisor of Community Education and Professional Development, last week.


And I learned so much about mental health, like the fact that severe depression, dementia and schizophrenia have been rated even more debilitating of diseases than having cancer or being a paraplegic. Amy said this is because, if we see someone in a wheelchair, we'll open the door for him or her, help carry groceries, etc. If we see someone in a parking lot, wearing ragged clothes and talking to him or herself, likely we'll run away as quickly as we can. 

I think Mental Health First Aid Training is very important because it teaches people that mental disorders ARE chemical imbalances in the brain and  how to react when you find out someone suffers from a disorder or is considering suicide. 

And Amy described the chemical imbalance in such an understandable way.

She used an analogy comparing the brain to a cell phone. She said, if a friend sent her a text message, asking her to meet for dinner that night, and she never received the text message on her phone, she wouldn't show up to where she was supposed to meet.

Like this, in the brain, two neurons "communicate" to one another. One neuron emits neurotransmitters, like endorphins, which tells the brain to be happy. For people suffering from depression or anxiety, the other neuron doesn't receive the "message." Instead, the neurotransmitters remain trapped in the synapse, or the space between the two neurons. 

Since the transmitting neuron thinks it sent out too many neurotransmitters, since they are floating in between the neurons, it takes back the neurotransmitters, also called "reuptake." Now the other neuron doesn't even have a chance to receive the "happy feelings."

This proves that people with mental illnesses aren't choosing to feel this way. They can't just "snap out of it." And I think this is an important fact that everyone should know — which I think could eliminate the stigma society still seems to hold. 

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5 comments

  1. What is First Aid? First Aid training addresses the initial care of an illness or injury. The treatment is often administered by someone who is trained in life saving methods and the care of injury and illness but isn't a professional medical practitioner.

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    1. Informative post about importance of mental health first aid training, which is an learning course which communicates individuals how to classify, appreciate and help a individual who may be evolving a mental health matter. Since I am a nursing assignment help folks writer and providing nursing assignment help writing services. In the similar approach as we learn bodily first aid, Mental Fitness First Aid communicates with students, how to identify those vital warning symbols of mental ill fitness.

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  2. I think we all have to aware about the first aid training and CPR also. Because many times we are being unable to find any doctor for first aid prescription and it becomes too crucial for patient. I have attended a First Aid Training in Carlsbad last week and get more knowledge about First Aid and CPR.

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  3. It is true that many people suffers from stress problem and it is important to get cure on right time. It is nice to take mental aid training from a good firm to avoid any type of health related issues.
    _______
    Health and Safety Consultant UK.

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