First Aid For Mental Health should be available to all and not be dependent on
organisations being able to afford it. We must find co-productive and collective ways of working to tackle one of the biggest challenges Society is
facing.
We offer a co-productive model to deliver courses within the community. This involves organisations from all sectors coming together to plan, share and experience our courses as a collective, creating greater community cohesion in terms of improving mental health. This model includes sharing costs and places amongst organisations, using community-based venues whilst offering community-based organisations and venues free spaces for their volunteers.
Mental illness is one of the major health challenges in Scotland. It is estimated that more than 1 in 3 people are affected by a mental health problem each year, most common being depression & anxiety.
In Scotland suicide in young men increased for the 4 th consecutive year in 2018. There were 784 probable suicides registered in Scotland in 2018, 104 (15%) more than in 2017. Roughly ¾ of all probable suicides are men; 74% in 2018. Additionally, the rate amongst young people under 25 rose by 50%, reaching its highest level in more than a decade.
Focus continues to be on crisis support, when research, particularly the Christie Commission Report, clearly show that early intervention and prevention are not only crucial but also cheaper in terms of resources required.
This crisis is worsening as budgets and resources within organisations are diminishing, and an incredibly compelling business case for employers to invest in mental Health Learning and Development. The overall costs to UK business is £34.9 billion.
In response to rapidly diminishing budgets, we offer a co-productive model to deliver courses within the community, on a price per course basis. This price includes 2 free spaces for volunteers.
This involves various organisations from all sectors coming together to plan, share and experience completing our courses together, creating greater community cohesion in terms of improving mental health and well-being within them.
