Press Release
Local charity Cam-mind has received national recognition for its work in raising awareness of mental health issues in the region
Friday 3 February 2012—Cambridge
Local charity Cam-mind has received national recognition for its work in raising awareness of mental health issues in the region.
The charity's development manager and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor Aly Anderson was among those to attend a ceremony at the House of Lords to receive an award from the national organisation Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England.
The event, sponsored by the global law firm Linklaters, was hosted by Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE. The main speaker was Falklands war veteran and Simon Weston OBE whose speech highlighted the need for good mental health support for veterans.
Aly's award acknowledged her work in developing the Mental Health First Aid initiative in the Cambridge area and, in particular, delivering 20-plus of the 2-day MHFA courses to more than 200 people ranging from business employers to a range of voluntary sector workers and members of the general public.
Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognised course designed to give participants the skills they need to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, provide initial help to someone in mental distress and to guide the person towards appropriate professional help. The MHFA programme also challenges the stigma and discrimination often faced by people with mental health issues and promotes the message that everyone needs to look after their mental as well as physical health.
Cam-mind was one of the first organisations locally to run the MHFA courses and is now also offering Youth Mental Health First Aid – for people who work with young people aged 11 to 18. The organisation is also soon to launch the half-day MHFA lite awareness-raising course locally. For more information, log on to www.cam-mind.org.uk
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