Workshop participants learned how to help someone having a panic attack. 

Mental health is an under-rated health component in many countries, but will continue to affect society’s productivity if left unaddressed.

This is why Monash University Sunway campus organised the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program for academics and administrative staff.

The program was aimed at equipping campus staff with the knowledge of how to help a person developing a mental health problem or was in a mental health crisis before professional help becomes available.

Student Counsellor Ms Na Mui Gee, an accredited MHFA instructor by University of Melbourne’s Orygen Research Centre, conducted the program.

“Many people do not want to face mental illnesses because they are afraid of the stigma. This training program’s objectives are not to only reduce the stigma, but provide staff with the know-how so they are in a better position to help students and other staff members who might be suffering some form of mental illness,” she explained.

The two-day program was the third organised for staff. Two previous sessions were organised for students.

The program saw the participation of 17 staff members who  were taught to recognise the symptoms of depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, and substance-use disorder - common problems in people of all ages.

Participants also learned how to provide first-aid assistance to a person displaying anxiety symptoms such as a panic attack and trauma; and how to render help to someone in a severe psychotic state.

“If staff could recognise the symptoms, they would know how to respond and be in a better position to help,” Ms Mui Gee said.

She cited the National Health and Morbidity Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2006, which showed that the prevalence of mental illnesses was at 11.2 per cent of the population, which brings the importance of the training program to centre stage.

Student Counsellor Ms Na Mui Gee trains Monash University Sunway campus staff to pick up on signs of mental illness.

“I hope the campus community becomes more aware of mental illnesses. If this is detected early, help can be provided,” Ms Mui Gee said.