Making mental health help a priority in China
On World Mental Health Day, Living Life Better launched the Mental Healthy Ally (MHA) program in China. That November, 30 MHA volunteers from our Shanghai Wheelock office and Minhang plant came together for a two-day intensive certification training on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
The course, developed by two mental health experts from Australia, covered theoretical knowledge and included group discussion, role play and interactive games to learn how to put first aid skills into practice.
“It’s been so great to see that at all levels and locations, we have an openness in our community to speak to the importance of mental health — making it something that’s okay to talk about,” said Emily Raines, Global Wellbeing Strategy Partner.
Trainees said they gained clarity on misperceptions around mental health and can now more successfully assess their own mental health and the health of those around them. Just like physical First Aid, when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, an MHFA-certified individual can offer immediate assistance before professional help is available.