Betty Kitchener- Around the World with the Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program
Betty told how the idea for Mental Health First Aid was first discussed with Tony Jorm on a dog walk. Mental Health First Aid is analogous to conventional physical first aid and aims to train members of the public in how to give initial assistance to a person developing a mental health problem. Betty explained the ALGEE Action Plan taught in Mental Health First Aid: Approach the person, Assess and assist with any crisis; Listen non-judgementally; Give information and support; Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help; Encourage other supports.
Because “ALGEE” is not as memorable as DRABC used in physical first aid, Betty has adopted a toy koala mascot for Mental Health First Aid called “Algee”. There is also a real orphan koala that Mental Health First Aid has adopted called “Algee”. Algee has also been adopted as a mascot by some other countries.
Mental Health First Aid training has been received by 220,000 adults in Australia and there are 1,200 instructors teaching the course in Australia. The training program has also spread to over 20 other countries. Betty explained how the course is adapted to the health systems and cultures of those countries. Betty said that published evaluation studies showing the benefits of Mental Health First Aid training had been important to its spread internationally.
Betty explained that most of her trips were purely work focussed and she did not get much time for leisure while travelling. Nevertheless, she had had some interesting experiences. Betty stories included how she helped a dog in Northern Ireland have a better life, how she coped with lack of electricity in Nepal, how she presented to parliamentarians in Canada, and the cultural factors in being a woman instructor in Saudi Arabia.