Mental Health Awareness

Responding to a Mental Health Injury Using the TEMA Model

Supporting someone through a difficult time or helping navigate a mental health injury can be overwhelming, but it is extremely important. We can no longer just talk about mental health and mental injury; we need to act and find effective ways to provide support. We all play a role in ensuring mental health is balanced with physical health.

Take Action

Take action with the following steps:

1. Observe behaviour.
2. Recognize the need.
3. Assess the situation.
4. Process what you are going to do.

Changing our approach to mental health and wellness makes a difference for everyone. We can all play a role in having a meaningful impact on someone with a mental health injury. The first step in the TEMA model is Take Action.

Taking action could mean a direct discussion, texting, emailing, a phone call, or reaching out through another source (colleague or friend). To take action means having the confidence to approach someone after observing something you see that is different or worrisome, recognizing the need to approach, assessing the needs of this individual, and finally, processing what you are going to do to help.

Engage in Conversation

After taking action, a first aider must be able to confidently engage in a safe, healthy, and respectful conversation. Sometimes the biggest challenge is starting that courageous conversation.

Having a difficult conversation is never easy, but it can be done in a way that is productive, respectful, and helpful for everyone.

Some things to keep in mind when starting a difficult conversation are:

• Be direct, sincere and honest.
• Be respectful.
• Remember to use both verbal and non-verbal engagement skills.
• Be culturally sensitive.
• Avoid stigmatizing language.
• Be sensitive and empathetic.
• Keep the focus strength-based (positive).
• Choose the right time and the right location for this discussion.
• Stay focused on the worries you have for the other person by using I messages (e.g., I noticed..., I am worried about..., I’ve seen..., I have heard..., etc.).

The language we use matters and makes a difference if we want to engage in meaningful conversations. We need to make sure that we shift from judgment to concern.

Make Meaningful Connections

Humans need connections. Connecting in a meaningful way looks different for everyone, especially those with mental health injuries. In general, meaningful connections are about giving and not expecting anything in return; they are about opening yourself up and being vulnerable; they are about being respectful and a good listener; they are about being genuine and empathetic.

Below is a list of tips to remember when connecting with someone during a conversation about their mental health and wellness. It is certainly not a comprehensive list, but hopefully a starting point for understanding.

• Value the person you are talking with.
• Make the most of your connection: don’t give up.
• Genuinely inquire with empathy.
• Reach out of your comfort zone.

• Invest in the connection: seek similarities rather than differences.
• Make the environment safe, welcoming, and conducive for conversations.
• Enhance your awareness of this person and the struggles they may be having.
• Use the L.U.V. model:
  • Listen to them.
  • Try to understand them, or their situation.
  • Validate their struggles.
• Take interest in the person.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Be aware of your body language. Ensure it is inviting and conveys care and concern.
• Remember that agreeing with them and understanding them are different: You don’t have to agree, but as a first aider, work to understand them and their situation.

Access Help

Once you have a sense of what is going on with the other person, you want to begin to think about how to help them from a mental health and wellness perspective.

Potential avenues for help

The resources you connect someone to will depend on the nature of their situation and the resources available in your region.

Immediate Resources

Immediate resources include:

• Crisis or distress line
• Local emergency room
• 9-1-1

Professional Resources

Professional resources include:

• Medical professionals: Doctor, nurse, counsellor, etc.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 2-1-1 is a source for government and community-based resources, available 24 hours a day in 150 languages by phone, text, chat, and online
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 (age 20 and under).
• www.crisisservicescanada.ca
• www.thelifelinecanada.ca
• www.suicideprevention.ca – This resource has listings for Mental Health Crisis and Suicide help by province.

Additional Resources

Additional resources include:

• Family, friends, pets, or previous supporters who may have helped in the past
• Spiritual leader

Further Educational Resources

Further educational resources include:

• Mental Health and Wellness for the Workplace: A one-day program at St. John Ambulance, developed in collaboration with the TEMA Foundation.
• Mental Health First Aid: A two-day program by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Physical Versus Mental Health Injuries

Our body only has so many ways to signal something is wrong, and therefore many of the signs and symptoms of mental health injuries are the same or similar to physical health conditions. This is something a first aider must always be aware of. Some physical conditions that have similar signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Diabetic emergencies
• Drug reactions
• Environmental emergencies (heat and cold injuries)
• Head injuries
• Infections/fever
• Lack of oxygen
• Shock

If you are concerned for a casualty’s well-being, assist them in seeking appropriate mental health help. It is more important to focus on getting the appropriate help than trying to determine a cause of the emergency.