Have you ever been with someone who suddenly looked overwhelmed, panicked, or even said they couldn’t go on anymore and you weren’t sure what to do? Would you know how to respond if a colleague had a breakdown at work, or if a loved one admitted they were thinking of ending their life? These moments can be frightening, can’t they? Yet many of us face them more often than we realize.
When someone collapses with chest pain, most people know to call for help and keep them safe until an ambulance arrives. But when the emergency is a panic attack, suicidal thoughts, or a psychotic episode, the usual response is hesitation or silence. It’s not that people don’t care, they don’t know how to help. That’s where Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) comes in.
Why Mental Health First Aid Matters
Isn’t it surprising how much stigma still surrounds mental health? A broken leg gets sympathy, but depression is often brushed off as “weakness.” Anxiety is dismissed as “overthinking.” And talk of suicide? Too frequently people wave it away as “just a phase.”
Take Sarah, for example. At a family dinner, she began shaking and struggling to breathe. Some relatives told her to “calm down,” while others laughed nervously. Only one cousin guided her into another room, sat with her, and helped her slow her breathing. It turned out to be a panic attack. That one calm response made Sarah feel understood rather than ashamed.
Stories like Sarah’s show why MHFA is so important. It equips ordinary people with the skills to respond with care and confidence when someone is in crisis. It doesn’t replace doctors or therapy, but it can save lives by offering compassion, calm, and direction in those first critical moments.
The MHFA Action Plan
So, what can you actually do if someone is in crisis? A widely used guide is the ALGEE action plan, which breaks the response into five clear steps:
- Approach and assess for safety.
Stay calm, check that the setting is safe, and approach gently. Even a simple start like, “You look upset, I want to make sure you’re okay,” can you please open the door? - Listen without judgment.
Isn’t it true that being heard is often more healing than advice? Let them speak, don’t interrupt and show you care with phrases like, “That sounds really tough.” - Give reassurance and information.
Remind them that many people go through similar struggles and that help is available. That reassurance can ease shame and fear. - Encourage professional help.
Consider consulting a counsellor, doctor, or therapist. If suicide is mentioned, stay close and guide them toward urgent support. - Encourage self-help and support strategies.
Could small steps—like breathing exercises, journaling or talking to a trusted friend and help keep them grounded until professional help is in place?
Responding to Crisis
Picture this: James, a university student, tells his roommate late one night, “I don’t think I can do this anymore. I want everything to stop.” The roommate panics, unsure of what to say. Instead of dismissing James’s words as stress, he remembers the MHFA steps. He listens, stays calm, and says, “I’m really worried about you, and I want us to find someone who can help.” That night, James was not left alone. Later, he admitted it was that moment of compassion that kept him alive.
Or think of Maria, a co-worker who suddenly bursts into tears during a meeting. People shift uncomfortably but one colleague stays behind afterward, listens without judgment and gently encourages her to take time off and speak to HR about counselling options. Maria later shared that she had been close to quitting her job but that small act of kindness gave her the strength to hold on.
These moments show that MHFA. isn’t about saying all the right words, it’s about being present, calm and compassionate.
Building Communities of Care
Why should MHFA be left to experts alone when anyone can learn it? Parents, teachers, students and colleagues can all benefit. Just as we practice fire drills or basic first aid, shouldn’t communities also prepare for mental health emergencies?
Imagine schools where teachers can spot the signs of a student in distress, workplaces where colleagues feel safe to ask for support, and families where children can share their struggles without fear. Doesn’t that sound like the kind of culture we all need?
Let’s act
Mental health crises don’t wait for the right time or place. They happen in kitchens, offices, and playgrounds. The outcome often depends on how those nearby responds.
So, what’s stopping us from learning the basics of MHFA? We don’t need degrees or medical titles. We just need empathy, patience and the courage to stand with someone in their hardest moment.
By practicing Mental Health First Aid, we become more than bystanders instead, we become lifelines. And isn’t that the kind of support we’d all hope for if the roles were reversed?
This is a piece by Maame Akua Kyerewah-Antwi