Over twenty students from a wide range of Clubs, Societies, Projects, Campaigns and Departments have become Mental Health First Aiders.
As part of Imperial College Union's focus on improving and supporting student mental health, free Mental Health First Aid Lite training was offered to student volunteers who are in positions where they may be approached by students in crisis.
Volunteers from groups such as IQ, Islamic Society, Mentality, Liberation Zones, the Academic Representation Network, Royal School of Mines Union, DoCSoc and more attended the session, which trained them to:
- Identify the discrimination surrounding mental health issues
- Define mental health and common mental health issues
- Relate to people's experiences
- Look after their own mental health
"I am more confident now. I believe I can do a better job in talking about mental health problems"
The students learnt the ALGEE method:
- A ssess for risk of suicide or harm
- L isten non-judgementally
- G ive reassurance and information
- E ncourage appropriate professional help
- E ncourage self-help and support strategies
Mental Health First Aid England is a social enterprise which trains a wide range of people in methods for supporting people with mental health issues
Each delegate will have their training recorded on eActivities, and can count the attendance towards their Imperial Plus certification.
Feedback from students who attended the training:
"Straightforward, practical advice combined with more abstract ideas and thought experiments. I know what to say, and when to be silent"
"Make this compulsory for all tutors and those in a welfare position at Imperial"
"Gave me extra confidence, reassured my own intuition"
As part of our campaign to increase understanding of mental health across Imperial staff and students, we will offer MHFA training again later in the academic year.
If you are interested in attending, please let Jennie Watson, Deputy President (Welfare), know at dpwelfare@imperial.ac.uk.
