First Aid for Major Depressive Disorder
Here in this post, we are providing the “First Aid for Major Depressive Disorder”. You can discuss more your concerns about mental health in our community, and we will provide you with tips and solutions in a short time. Keep visiting Mental Health.
First Aid for Major Depressive Disorder
Anyone can offer medical first-aid mental health assistance to someone struggling with depression. The mental first-aid approach to treatment for depression is a five-step plan of action known as ALGEE that is a mnemonic used to refer to:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
By following these guidelines the first aid worker can reduce the risk of harm to the person who suffers from depression and offer them compassionate and supportive assistance until professional help is found or asked for help.
Assess for Risk of Suicide or Harm
Depression is one of two primary kinds of mental health issues First aids usually offer:
- First aid for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: This means being aware of and responding to warning signs of suicide in the event that the person is contemplating suicide and calling emergency assistance should it be required.
- First aid for non-suicidal self-injury: For this kind of treatment, one must be knowledgeable about the symptoms and forms of self-injury. They should also be able to speak openly about self-harm.
If the person isn’t suffering from a crisis that is related to suicidal behavior or self-harm that isn’t suicidal or self-harm, the first aid person may initiate a private discussion where they can discuss their worries and offer assistance.
Listen non-judgmentally
If the individual isn’t experiencing a crisis that requires immediate medical attention, the first aid person is able to approach the person privately and have a discussion to learn more about the situation. This will help someone who is suffering from depression to realize that they can speak openly about their condition without fear of being judged. A candid discussion can serve as the initial step for someone seeking professional assistance.
The types of questions that a first-aid worker could ask during this discussion could include “How have you been feeling lately?” and “How long have you felt this way?” They are expected to listen calmly and respectfully and refrain from interjecting, even when they do not agree.
But, these should be the first ones to be being asked. First aid professionals need to understand that this discussion isn’t a chance for them to provide guidance or treat a person’s depression. It’s an opportunity for anyone suffering from depression to speak up and be taken seriously by someone who truly cares regardless of the words they speak of don’t sound right or isn’t in line with the beliefs of the first aid person.
First aids can be able to judge by being aware of their attitude and their communication skills. When having a conversation with someone suffering from depression, first aid must:
- Think about their mental wellbeing prior to going to bed.
- Don’t interrupt, and avoid the necessity to respond.
- Maintain eye contact that is comfortable and uses relaxed body language.
- Utilize a few verbal cues such as “I see,” and “Ah,” instead of giving advice, which could alter the tone of the conversation.
- Do not fidget or look at a mobile phone.
- Be careful not to express negative reactions
- Be careful not to express religious or personal convictions
- Be careful not to say, “I understand,” or give advice that isn’t helpful, such as “Pull yourself together,” or use phrases like, “Everything will be fine.”
In listening and not judging A first aid worker lets people know it’s okay to discuss depression and get assistance.
Give Reassurance and Information
A very essential aspect of the mental health first aid’s job is to show compassion. The stigma that surrounds mental illness, such as depression, may prevent individuals from speaking out about their issues or cause them to feel lonely or ashamed. Anyone suffering from an illness of the mind requires help and encouragement and is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.
To offer comfort to someone suffering from depression, first aid should:
- Do not blame the person for their depression. Mental illness is not the fault of a person and is not a result of an individual’s moral failing or vulnerability.
- Provide constant emotional assistance and patience: Be patient as they speak, persist with encouragement, and show compassion and kindness even if it’s never returned.
- Provide the person with hope for recovery: Tell them that, with patience and the right treatment, they will start feeling better.
A mental health first aid can also provide practical assistance and advice to anyone who is struggling with depression. This could include:
- Offer to assist with everyday tasks: Someone suffering from depression may have trouble with everyday chores like running the household or shopping for groceries. First aid can provide help with chores around the house but must be cautious to not take on all the chores since it can lead to dependency.
- Provide informational resources on depression: Even though medical aid should not presume that they are ignorant about major depression disorders, However, they should still suggest education resources that explain the causes of depression and the best way to treat it.
Encourage Appropriate Professional Help
Depression is a severe mental illness that warrants extensive treatment. The need for professional treatment for depression is required if a person suffers from the symptoms of depression over a period of at least 2 weeks and it has significantly interfered with their everyday functioning.
- Discuss treatment options: Treatment options for depression are psychotherapy, mental health counseling treatments, and medical treatment. While the person in need of treatment is responsible for their own choices an aid person can suggest treatment options and assist the person to appointments.
- Inspire people to seek out medical professionals: Professionals who offer and suggest counseling for mental health comprise primary care physicians as well as mental health counselors. psychiatrists and peer specialists who are certified.
What Happens If the Individual Doesn’t Need Assistance?
If the person isn’t sure to seek help, a medical professional may inquire whether the patient has particular concerns regarding getting treatment. The reason may originate from false notions or is rooted in anxiety. Following this discussion, if they are still resisted by the idea of getting treatment the first aid person is expected to be patient and assist when the person’s thinking.
The most important thing a mental health first aid can do is to be supportive and direct people towards treatment. It is up to the individual who is suffering from depression to determine what they will do using the information they’ve received.
Self-Help, and other Support Strategies
Mental health first aids aren’t the only individuals who can assist people who are suffering from depression. Patient is likely to recover quicker when they’re surrounded by an entire network of people who support them. First aiders should advise someone to connect with relatives, friends, and faith-based communities as well as support groups to discuss the symptoms of depression and get support.
Furthermore, a mental health specialist may suggest self-help techniques daily which can help people create healthy coping strategies when they are recovering from depression. These strategies could be as simple as changes to your lifestyle and could include:
- Walking, and other physical exercises.
- Herbal remedies that are holistic, such as St. John’s wort
- Self-help guides
- Meditation
- Relaxation training
- Light therapy
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