MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING (MHFA) THE EXPERIENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Transcription

1 MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING (MHFA) THE EXPERIENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

2 The freezer is full of casseroles...or people look at their shoes... Georgie Harman CEO Beyond Blue.

3 Background Changing dynamics in work environments and culture is highlighting a greater need for the promotion of mental health awareness. Many employers are seeing across the board increase related to psychological injury claims in the workplace. University of Queensland approximately 7,000 FTE staff; four campuses; staff employed state wide Full time Staff Support and Rehabilitation Advisor, Jacqui Smurthwaite dealing with staff presenting with mental heath related issues initiated the roll out a mental health training programme.

4 Background In general, costs of psychological injury claims are considerably higher than other injuries because they tend to involve: Longer periods of time off work Higher medical, legal and other claim payments average Queensland Work Cover costs associated with a psychological injury claim is $32,000 per person Significant organisational costs associated with absenteeism, employee turnover, workplace conflict and loss of productivity.

5 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training The underlying premise of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is prevention and early intervention training staff to recognise the early warning signs of psychological distress. reducing stigma creating a culture that supports the health and well-being of staff reducing the potential of mental health issues becoming mental health crises

6 MHFA training at UQ What the course covers The signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation. Developing mental health problems Depression Anxiety problems Psychosis Substance use problems Mental health crisis situations Suicidal thoughts and behaviours Non-suicidal self-injury (selfharm) Panic attacks Traumatic events Severe effects of drug or alcohol use Psychotic states Aggressive behaviours

7 MHFA Training at UQ 12-hour / 2 day MHFA course teaches adults how to provide initial support to adults who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis Major findings of MHFA studies found that participants displayed: a better recognition of mental disorders how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems a better understanding of treatments evidenced based medical, psychological and alternative treatments available more confidence in providing help to others how to give appropriate initial help and support to someone experiencing a mental health problem improved mental health for themselves less stigmatizing attitudes and decreased social distance from people with mental disorders

8 MHFA training at UQ For UQ Mental Health First Aid training is about: positively influencing organisational culture attendance morale workplace relationships and management support And if required rehabilitation outcomes.

9 MHFA Training at UQ The MHFA training was an initiative of the HR Division with the pilot program funded by the OHS Division. Five pilot training courses from September - February 2014 Specific cohorts of staff: Human Resources; Workplace Health and Safety Coordinators; Security staff and Senior Management such as school Managers. A total of 126 UQ staff members have been trained in MHFA, across 44 business areas of UQ.

10 Future Directions Feedback indicates an overwhelmingly positive response to the training and demonstrates outcomes consistent with MHFA studies: MHFA training is associated with improved knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, knowledge of appropriate first aid strategies, and confidence in providing first aid to individuals with mental illness. Participants are very likely to and in some cases have already implemented this training in their work. MHFA training incorporated within the University s Staff Development training courses for 2014 opening up MHFA across UQ to all staff at no cost.

11 When someone in a workplace gets cancer everyone rallies around. People make casseroles and the freezer is filled with casseroles. When someone in a workplace has a mental health issue people stare at their shoes or the performance management starts.

12 QUESTIONS??