MHFA symptom-specific interventions

The Mental Health First Aid course prescribes ALGEE as an umbrella intervention for all mental health conditions, from general anxiety through to full-blown pychosis. Inevitably, MHFA does not demaind that an intervention is the same for every condition that presents.  MHFA gives precise guidelines for the first aider who may be working with someone who is distressed and feeling suicidal.  These guidelines are in addition to ALGEE Assessing risk, Listening non-judgementally, Giving reassurance, Encouraging referral to other agencies and Encouraging self-help strategies.   For the person who is distressed and talking of suicide, MHFA guidelines are:

• If person is distressed and threatening do not get involved physically.
• Do not leave them alone, stay with them.
• Seek immediate help: 
• phone their GP and ask them to come out 
• dial 999
• take the person to the Accident & Emergency Department of the nearest hospital
• take the person to a GP
• call the NHS24 helpline

All or any of these guidelines may be useful in the event of a first aider who is involved with someone threatening suicide or in a highly distressed state.  As for all interventions, ALGEE still applies.