Question

Explain the reasons why first aid is required in mental health.

Answer 1

Some of reasons why first aid in mental health is required are:

1. Stigma associated with mental illness: Lack of knowledge and awareness makes us:
   1. Blame the individual, i.e. consider mental illness to be a personal failing or weakness.
   2. Consider that mental illness is a punishment for our faults.
   3. Consider that a person is behaving inappropriately on purpose.
2. Shame: A person who has been diagnosed with mental illness is frequently blamed; he or she feels shame, withdraws from social involvement, and does not speak to others or seek help.
3. People do not always know how to respond: Most people may not respond appropriately to someone who is mentally ill. Their advice and assistance may cause more harm than benefit. The MHFA program, on the other hand, can aid in early detection. Recognize signs of mental illness and assist the individual in seeking expert assistance.
4. People with mental illness do not always seek help: Such people do not seek treatment from a health professional for a variety of reasons, i.e.:
   1. Culture: Individual behavior is seen as a reflection of one's family in our society. The stigma linked to mental illness inhibits people from getting professional care since it may harm their family's reputation.
   2. Advice from elders: We frequently seek guidance from our elders in order to solve our problems. People may mistakenly believe that the advice and direction of elders will suffice to cure mental disease and hence disregard the necessity to consult a mental health professional.
   3. Superstitions: Individuals who believe that mental illness is caused by sins or supernatural powers are less likely to seek medical attention. They do not believe that contemporary medicine and psychotherapy can treat their ailment and prefer to seek treatment from untrained professionals.