|
Public less
likely to help person crying than if knocked to ground, finds survey
May
28, 2009
by Angela Hussain
......
People
are much less likely to assist a person crying in the street than
to help someone knocked to the ground, survey results claim.
This
is because people lack the knowledge and confidence to react to
distress, according to a leading mental health charity.
Of 2,001 British adults questioned by the Mental Health Foundation
92% said they would stop and help someone physically hurt. Only
51% would offer to help someone crying.
The
survey also found 24 per cent of people wouldn’t know what
to do or say if someone close to them had worries about their own
mental health.
There
are
concerns that depression and anxiety – particularly among
men – is increasing because of the recession
To
help the public in knowing what to do to assist people in distress
the charity today launched a “Mental Health First Aid for
All” campaign around England.
The
charity said that later this year it will launch an online information
service on mental health first aid. This will provide advice to
those who want to know how to help a friend, loved one or colleague
in a crisis.
The charity argues that mental health
first aid - including listening and reassurance - can be a “lifesaver”.
The charity states the five basic steps of mental health first aid
are: assess risk of suicide or self-harm, listen non-judgmentally,
give reassurance and information, encourage the person to seek help,
and encourage self-help.
Celia
Richardson, campaigns director at the Mental Health Foundation,
said: "During the economic downturn increasing numbers will
find themselves unemployed and facing debt - circumstances that
can result in depression and anxiety.
"Reaching
out can really help someone who’s having a hard time, whether
it be a friend, colleague or stranger on the street. It could even
stop a person from taking their own life.”
See also:
Service
provision
Add your
comments
What
do you think? Email your comments on the above
article to the editor using the form below. Selected comments will
be displayed.
© 2001-7 Psychminded Limited. All
rights reserved
Email
a colleague
about this article
|
|
