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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained.

The aims of the MHFA course are:

• to preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
• to provide help to prevent the mental health problems developing into a more serious state
• to promote the recovery of good mental health
• to provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem
• to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community
• to reduce stigma and discrimination

MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help. MHFA England have also developed a course for adults that live, work with or care for young people called Youth MHFA.