International Advocates for Mental Health play a critical role in providing support to individuals experiencing mental health crises or challenges in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, and community organisations. These individuals are often the first line of defence, offering immediate assistance, guidance, and a compassionate ear. However, as vital as their role is, it is equally important to ensure that both their safety and clarity of duties are maintained. This can be achieved through two key practices: risk assessments and clear job descriptions. Together, these ensure that advocates are prepared, safe, and effective in their roles.
The Role of Mental Health First Aid Advocates
Before diving into risk assessments and job descriptions, it’s crucial to understand what the role of a Mental Health First Aid Advocate entails. Unlike licensed mental health professionals, Mental Health First Aid Advocates are typically trained to offer initial support, recognise early signs of mental health issues, and guide individuals toward professional help. This might include offering comfort during a panic attack, providing support during a stressful situation, or connecting individuals with counsellors or mental health services.
Their role is foundational to nurturing a supportive and mentally healthy environment, but it also carries its own risks, particularly when advocates encounter complex or intense situations where a higher level of professional intervention is required.
The Importance of Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are an essential part of ensuring that Mental Health First Aid Advocates can perform their duties safely and effectively. A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and outlines strategies to mitigate those risks. For advocates, this may involve:
Identifying Physical and Emotional Risks
Mental Health First Aid Advocates may find themselves in situations where the emotional intensity of the person they’re helping could cause physical or emotional strain. For example, a person experiencing a mental health crisis might be at risk of harming themselves or others. Advocates must be equipped with strategies to de-escalate such situations or safely seek professional assistance when necessary.
In some cases, advocates might be exposed to emotionally distressing situations that could impact their own mental wellbeing. Regular supervision, debriefing sessions, and providing advocates with access to counselling or mental health support are important safeguards.
To help with this support and prevent burnout to ensure continued confidence in their role, IAMH offers On-Going Support sessions. These sessions provide our advocates with continued guidance, reinforcing the skills learned during training, and helping them address new challenges as they arise. By creating a peer support network, these sessions allow advocates to share their experiences, seek advice, and develop their expertise in a safe and supportive environment. This global community of practice encourages cross-cultural learning, enhancing both competence and confidence in providing mental health support while promoting a culture of openness and continuous improvement in mental wellbeing. Regular supervision and access to mental health support are essential safeguards that ensure advocates feel supported in their work, enabling them to stay resilient in challenging situations.
Ensuring Safety in High-Risk Environments
Some workplaces or environments can be more prone to incidents where mental health crises occur, such as high-stress professions (like healthcare or law enforcement) or in schools and universities. The presence of risk factors such as heavy workloads, lack of mental health awareness, or inadequate support systems can heighten the likelihood of crises. A risk assessment can highlight these factors and suggest measures, such as additional training, safer spaces for advocacy, or team support, to minimise exposure to danger.
Creating Clear Protocols
A robust risk assessment helps establish clear protocols for responding to high-risk situations. Advocates need to know when to intervene, when to call for professional help, and how to navigate any legal or safety concerns. These protocols should include guidelines for emergency situations and a clear outline of the advocate’s responsibilities and limits.
Addressing Legal and Ethical Concerns
Risk assessments also help address potential legal and ethical concerns. Advocates need to understand the boundaries of their role, particularly when it comes to confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and the need to recognise their limits in intervening. For instance, a risk assessment might address how to maintain confidentiality in sensitive cases, ensuring that advocates are aware of situations in which they might need to share information with authorities or professionals (such as when a person is a danger to themselves or others).
The Importance of Job Descriptions
Alongside a thorough risk assessment, a clear and concise job description is essential in defining the boundaries of the Mental Health First Aid Advocate’s role. A well-written job description clarifies what the advocate is responsible for, and more importantly, what they are not responsible for, helping prevent overstepping boundaries or burnout.
Clarifying Duties and Expectations
A clear job description ensures that advocates are aware of their core responsibilities, which typically include:
- Offering initial support in a mental health crisis.
- Assessing the immediate needs of the individual in distress.
- Connecting the individual to appropriate mental health professionals or resources.
- Promoting mental health awareness and education within their community or workplace.
Outlining these responsibilities ensures that advocates stay focused on their role and avoid taking on tasks that may be outside of their skill set, such as diagnosing mental health disorders or providing long-term therapy.
Avoiding Burnout and Overextension
One of the most significant risks Mental Health First Aid Advocates face is burnout. Without a clear job description, advocates may inadvertently take on too much, extending beyond their capacity and skill set. By clearly defining the role, an organisation can help prevent emotional exhaustion and overload, which can have serious consequences for both the advocate and the individuals they are trying to help. Advocates should be encouraged to take breaks, seek support, and ensure that they are not engaging in activities that might jeopardise their well-being.
The Growing Importance of Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
The need for Mental Health First Aid Advocates is more pressing than ever. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15% of working-age adults globally were estimated to have a mental disorder in 2019. Moreover, 12 billion working days are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing an estimated £1 trillion in lost productivity.
Poor working environments, including excessive workloads, low job control, and job insecurity, are significant factors contributing to mental health challenges in the workplace. These statistics underscore the critical importance of having well-trained Mental Health First Aid Advocates who can support individuals in managing mental health issues before they escalate, minimising both human and economic impacts.
Best Practices for Implementing Risk Assessments and Job Descriptions
To ensure that Mental Health First Aid Advocates are properly supported, organisations should consider the following best practices when implementing risk assessments and job descriptions:
- Regular Review of Risk Assessments: Mental health challenges are dynamic, and so are the risks involved. It’s essential to review risk assessments regularly to account for changes in the environment, mental health trends, and emerging issues.
- Comprehensive Training and Support: Job descriptions should be linked to ongoing training and professional development. This includes workshops on de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and self-care strategies for advocates.
- Clear Communication and Support Networks: Advocates need to have access to a clear line of communication with other professionals and support teams. This can include access to a crisis team, mental health counsellors, or HR departments.
- Feedback Loops and Supervision: Advocates should be regularly supervised and have opportunities for feedback to ensure that they are effectively carrying out their responsibilities. These sessions also offer a chance to address any issues or stressors they may be facing.
International Mental health first aid advocates are an invaluable resource, providing essential support during critical moments of need. However, to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and wellbeing, it is paramount that organisations implement thorough risk assessments and clear job descriptions. These tools not only protect the advocates themselves but also ensure that they can provide the highest quality of care to those in distress.
For further information on how we can support, contact our team.
