‘First aid’ will calm acute episodes

Up to 9,000 people in Scotland are to be trained in how to help
people suffering from mental illness as part of a mental health
“first aid” scheme.

The training programme, to be launched in June, will teach
professionals such as prison staff as well as the public about the
signs and symptoms of mental illness and the different treatments
available.

Like conventional first aid, it will train people how to stabilise
someone suffering from a severe episode of mental illness until
professional health workers arrive.

The programme, part of the Scottish executive’s mental health
policy, has been piloted over the past year and was found to
improve trainees’ own mental health and knowledge of mental health
issues.

• For information call the Scottish Development Centre for Mental
  Health Issues on 0131 555 5959.