Module 1 Review – Quiz

Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual:

a. Realizes his or her own potential
b. Can cope with the normal stresses of life
c. Can work productively
d. Is able to contribute to his/her community
e. Does not live with a mental health or substance use problem

Which of the following describes the concept of recovery as discussed in module 1?

a. Each person’s journey of recovery is different, as they draw on their own unique set of resources, strengths, and relationships to confront the specific challenges they face
b. The journey of recovery and well-being has no fixed end point; it is a path along which people can discover or rediscover their strengths and work to attain the best possible quality of life
c. Factors that help individuals on their recovery journey include: support from family and friends, meaningful participation in society, and professional help and evidence-based treatment and supports.

What is the difference between “concurrent disorder” or “co-morbidity”?

What is the difference between a mental health disorder and a mental health problem?

What is the role of a Mental Health First Aider?

a. Initiate a conversation if you notice changes in behaviour that may indicate a decline in mental well-being or a crisis
b. Help the person to feel safe talking with you about a mental health or substance use problem
c. Help the person to consider a wide range of supports that could help
d. In a crisis situation, connect the person with crisis supports
e. Counsel the person to help resolve the problem

Why is MHFA needed?

a. At least 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health or substance use problem in a year
b. Professional help is not always on hand
c. People often do not know how to respond
d. Not everyone seeks treatment or realizes they need help
e. There is stigma associated with mental health and substance use problems
f. MHFA has resulted in better knowledge, attitudes and help-giving

Stigma includes having fixed ideas and judgments, such as thinking that people with mental health or substance use problems are not normal, that they caused their own problems or that they can simply get over their problems if they want to. It is important for first aiders to understand the impact of stigma on mental well-being because:

A collaborative referral:

a. Is about making help-seeking a mutual decision
b. Involves telling a person what their best options for help or support are
c. Involves empowering the person to determine their path to improved mental wellness

The MHFA Reference Guide outlines possible signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders. Which of the following are categories of signs and symptoms for anxiety problems as outlined in Section 2.2 of your reference guide?

What are the key attitudes for providing MHFA?

a. Acceptance: Respecting the person’s feelings, experiences and values, even though they may be different from the listener’s
b. Genuineness: Not presenting an outward appearance of one attitude while having another
c. Empathy: The ability to put oneself in the other person’s place
d. Sympathy: Genuinely feeling sorry for the other person

What communication goals do the ALGEES actions aim to achieve?

a. Help the person experiencing mental distress to feel comfortable talking openly about it.
b. Use questions to fully understand the situation rather than jumping to judgements or to conclusions.
c. Demonstrate respect for the person by inviting and listening to their point of view.
d. Use questions to enable personal choice by inviting the person to consider and choose from a variety of professional and personal supports that could help their mental well-being.
e. Offer comfort to the person experiencing mental distress by demonstrating empathy and genuine concern and interest.
f. Help to combat self-stigma that the person may have about the mental distress they are experiencing.

It is important that any time that MHFA is provided, the First Aider begins by assessing the risk. This includes:

a. Evaluating the situation to decide how best to help
b. Assessing the risk for suicide and/or harm in the other person
c. Ensuring one’s own personal safety
d. Following the steps for crisis first aid if there is a risk of suicide and/or of harm

What questions could you ask to discuss the range of supports that the person could reach out to?

Check all that apply.

Scenario: Co-Worker – Ben

Ben is a co-worker of yours. You started working for the same organisation at about the same time and you have always been impressed by his performance. He is friendly and gets along well with everybody.

However, recently, things appear to have changed. Ben is late for work most mornings and although he tends to have an excuse related to his family, often you suspect he is recovering from the effects of alcohol the night before. He puts in long hours, but even with the extra time his work has declined.

After he is reprimanded by his supervisor about a report he turned in late, he is very upset.

Question 1:

Which of the following ways would be best to approach Ben about what is going on?

Scenario: Co-Worker – Ben

Ben is a co-worker of yours. You started working for the same organisation at about the same time and you have always been impressed by his performance. He is friendly and gets along well with everybody.

However, recently, things appear to have changed. Ben is late for work most mornings and although he tends to have an excuse related to his family, often you suspect he is recovering from the effects of alcohol the night before. He puts in long hours, but even with the extra time his work has declined.

After he is reprimanded by his supervisor about a report he turned in late, he is very upset.

Question 2:

When talking to Ben, what would be the best way to ask about the possibility of a mental health problem?

Scenario: Co-Worker – Ben

Ben is a co-worker of yours. You started working for the same organisation at about the same time and you have always been impressed by his performance. He is friendly and gets along well with everybody.

However, recently, things appear to have changed. Ben is late for work most mornings and although he tends to have an excuse related to his family, often you suspect he is recovering from the effects of alcohol the night before. He puts in long hours, but even with the extra time his work has declined.

After he is reprimanded by his supervisor about a report he turned in late, he is very upset.

Question 3:

After some discussion, Benjamin decides he needs to do something. You want to suggest professional help, since he is not sure where to start. Which of these suggestions would be the best to make?

Scenario – Friend – Sharon

Sharon is a friend of yours. A year ago she was in a terrible car accident. Both of her children were in the car, and all three of them sustained minor injuries. It was a terrible shock to everyone; however, they all seemed to make a good recovery.

About a month ago, Sharon had another accident, this one much more minor. However, her reaction this time has been very different. She has refused to drive anywhere since and has cancelled her son’s driving lessons because she’s afraid of what might happen to him. She tells you she is having nightmares that her kids died. You go to her house one evening and hear her arguing loudly with her partner.

You are concerned about Sharon’s well-being.

Question 1: 

What would be a helpful approach if you wanted to have a conversation with her about your concerns?

Scenario – Friend – Sharon

Sharon is a friend of yours. A year ago she was in a terrible car accident. Both of her children were in the car, and all three of them sustained minor injuries. It was a terrible shock to everyone; however, they all seemed to make a good recovery.

About a month ago, Sharon had another accident, this one much more minor. However, her reaction this time has been very different. She has refused to drive anywhere since and has cancelled her son’s driving lessons because she’s afraid of what might happen to him. She tells you she is having nightmares that her kids died. You go to her house one evening and hear her arguing loudly with her partner.

You are concerned about Sharon’s well-being.

Question 2:

What would be the best thing to say to get the conversation started?

Scenario – Friend – Sharon

Sharon is a friend of yours. A year ago she was in a terrible car accident. Both of her children were in the car, and all three of them sustained minor injuries. It was a terrible shock to everyone; however, they all seemed to make a good recovery.

About a month ago, Sharon had another accident, this one much more minor. However, her reaction this time has been very different. She has refused to drive anywhere since and has cancelled her son’s driving lessons because she’s afraid of what might happen to him. She tells you she is having nightmares that her kids died. You go to her house one evening and hear her arguing loudly with her partner.

You are concerned about Sharon’s well-being.

Question 3:

Sharon tentatively begins to talk about what she experienced and how she is now having flashbacks, as well as nightmares that her children were more seriously hurt. How would you respond?

Scenario – Friend – Sharon

Sharon is a friend of yours. A year ago she was in a terrible car accident. Both of her children were in the car, and all three of them sustained minor injuries. It was a terrible shock to everyone; however, they all seemed to make a good recovery.

About a month ago, Sharon had another accident, this one much more minor. However, her reaction this time has been very different. She has refused to drive anywhere since and has cancelled her son’s driving lessons because she’s afraid of what might happen to him. She tells you she is having nightmares that her kids died. You go to her house one evening and hear her arguing loudly with her partner.

You are concerned about Sharon’s well-being.

Question 4:

What would you do if Sharon was reluctant to reach out to supports?

a. If Sharon still doesn’t want help after exploring their reasons with her, let her know that if she changes her mind in the future about seeking help they can contact you.
b. Respect the Sharon’s right not to seek help unless you believe that she is at risk of harming herself or others.