We all have mental health and, just like our physical health, it needs looking after. One in four of us will experience a mental health issue in any given year. The economic cost of mental ill health is estimated to be many billion pounds a year.

Health is important to enjoy life fully and you need physical health and mental health.

Ideas, concepts and expectations are injected by society at a very young age. If these expectations are not achieved and go wrong then a person starts to worry and this is the birth place for mental illness.

This creates friction between the mind and the heart that leads to mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide.

It impacts on individuals in different ways, but some examples are:

Emotions – sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, helplessness, hopelessness, lack of emotional responsiveness.

Thinking – frequent self- criticism, self blame, worry, pessimism, thoughts of death, confusion

Behaviour: crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation, engaging in risk taking behaviours.

Physical effects: chronic fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, overeating or loss of appetite, weight loss or gain, unexplained aches and pains, loss of sexual desire, irregular menstrual cycle.

In severe depression, the person often describes being emotionally blunted and beyond tears. There may be a lack of attention to physical appearance and personal hygiene. While some will often be slow in moving and thinking, they become agitated from time to time.

Depressed people commonly have a negative view of themselves, other people, the world and the future. Their thoughts often follow themes of hopelessness and helplessness. They may say things such as: I am a failure, I have let everyone down, it is all my fault, I am worthless, life is not worth living, I am so alone, no one loves me.

These need to be identified and supported by the First Aid action plan.

The basic five steps: ALGEE which is

1. Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis

2. Listen and communicate non-judgmentally

3. Give support and information

4. Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

5. Encourage other supports

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