By Cory Jones, MWIS Ambassador
Supporting someone’s Mental Health in the mountains
People head to the hills for many reasons – physical fitness, the love of nature and for their mental well-being.
There is now a huge amount of evidence that heading out into nature is so good for our mental health that many people are going outdoors today than were previously.
But what would you do if came across someone who was in mental health distress in the hills?
Many people have done a physical first aid courses so know what to do if someone is, say, bleeding (if not check this MWIS Emergency First Aid blog).
But what would you do if you find someone who is in mental health distress?
Spotting the Signs of Mental Health Distress
Being aware of the signs of mental distress. Some signs can be subtle, however, there are often visible clues.
These may include the person being withdrawn, irritable, has moods swings and lack of focus.
Anxiety can manifest physically, for example if a someone is showing signs of excessive sweating, dizziness, or trembling.
The FIRST Incident Procedure
One of the best ways to manage mental health issues is by following a structured approach.
The procedure consists of five steps:
Find out, Investigate, Reassure, Support/Signpost, and Take Care.
Each step is designed to guide you through the process of supporting someone in distress. You can’t fix a person’s problems but you can offer comfort and support.
You can find out more about this process by reading the free Mental Health First Aid manual written by First Aid Training Co-operative.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Mental Health
The outdoors offers a natural setting that can be incredibly therapeutic for people experiencing mental health challenges. With the rise in mental health issues among young people and adults alike, it’s important we are equipped to manage mental health distress effectively.
