As part of The Abundance Project, Kingston University’s Associate Professor of Mental Health Nursing, Louise Howard, offered a 2-day course on Mental Health First Aid training to members of The Abundance Project team. This included for both the research team and Community Voice Champions. Upon completion, attendees became certified Mental Health First Aiders, received their certificate and were given access to a wealth of resources and networks hosted by MHFA England.
This post was written by Nasra Abdullahi, a Community Voice Champion based at The Reach Foundation. She completed her MHFAider course in January 2025.
First of all, the two-day training was absolutely fantastic. It was very interactive and engaging, and I had the chance to meet amazing people from different communities. I even made some meaningful connections that have lasted beyond the training.
Personally, I learned so much during these two days. At the beginning of the training, we discussed the importance of self-care — the idea that you must “put your own mask on first before helping others.” This analogy really stayed with me. It reminded me that in order to effectively support others, especially in a role as a Mental Health First Aider, it’s essential to take care of your own mental health first.
We also learned about the five key actions of ALGEE:
1. Approach the person
2. Listen non-judgmentally
3. Give support and information
4. Encourage appropriate professional help
5. Encourage other supports
I found the concept of active listening particularly important — it plays a vital role in understanding someone’s mental health condition and in building trust.
We explored how to recognize signs of poor mental health, what influences mental wellbeing, and the different types of mental health conditions. One concept that especially stood out to me was the stress container model. This analogy illustrates how everyone has a different capacity (or “container”) for handling stress. Everyday stress flows into this container, and without proper coping strategies, it can overflow, leading to mental health difficulties.
This model has already helped me support my neurodiverse children and others I work with, many of whom are autistic. It has given them a better way to understand their emotions and recognize when their stress container is getting too full, so they can take steps to prevent it from overflowing.
Since completing the training, I feel much more confident in approaching someone who may be experiencing poor mental health. My active listening skills have improved, and I’m more aware of the appropriate language to use when discussing mental health.
Finally, we also discussed the inequalities in accessing mental health services, especially within the NHS. The training shed light on the barriers that minority communities face, including stigma within communities and systemic issues in service access. This was an eye-opening and essential part of the course.
Overall, the Mental Health First Aider training was a valuable and empowering experience. It has given me the tools and confidence to make a real difference in the lives of others — and in my own life as well.
If you or someone else is in need of urgent mental health support, you can call The Samaritans for 24/7 confidential emotional support at the telephone number 116 123.
For another helpline, or for information on various mental health conditions, you can also call Mind at 0300 123 3393.
In an emergency, call 999.