![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/mdr\/files\/2024\/05\/Joram-Posma-75.jpg\")
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To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week 2024,<\/a> we spoke with MDR’s mental health first aiders about their role and the support they can offer. In our first profile, we hear from Dr Joram Posma<\/a>, a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Informatics from the Section of Bioinformatics<\/a>.<\/p>\n We are there as a confidential, first point of contact when people are experiencing issues (mental ill health) regarding their mental health. The first two important aspects are to assess if the person I am talking to is at harm and to listen non-judgementally. While talking with someone I can give reassurances and information about mental (ill) health and encourage them to call on the support of professionals by signposting them to support services if they feel as if this would benefit them, as well as to encourage self-help. This last aspect is not to be overlooked because when people actively contact a MHFA, they have already done some self-assessment.<\/p>\n I am a personal tutor for the MRes in Biomedical Research, section rep for PhD student ESAs and LSRs, and I supervise students and staff in my role as an academic \u2013 all of which happen in a supporting role. This meant I get into contact with many people that may experience mental ill health at times. I wanted to do the training to know better how I can provide support, and especially what type of support is appropriate at what times.<\/p>\n For me this is a long-term thing, it is seeing people that came to talk to me in confidence with something they are struggling with, have a positive change to their mental health over time. In my teaching or supervision roles, this could be seeing somebody get back their \u2018oomph\u2019.<\/p>\n I would first say that no person should, it is voluntary. But anybody who wants to support others, and wants to learn more about different aspects of mental health, could benefit. I certainly learned plenty during the course run by Imperial\u2019s EDI team.<\/p>\n Find a person you can trust, this can be a friend, colleague or someone not in your direct circle of contacts such as a MHFA if you feel less comfortable talking about potentially sensitive and personal situations and issues with people you know well, and talk with your confidant about what you believe is happening. You can identify MHFAs by our green lanyards, as well as via the Imperial website (search \u2018Imperial MHFA\u2019).<\/p>\n They can send me an email<\/a>, Teams message or simply drop by my office in Burlington Danes (E305) at the Hammersmith Campus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat is the role of a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)?<\/h3>\n
What motivated you to become a MHFA?<\/h3>\n
What is the most rewarding thing about being a MHFA?<\/h3>\n
What sort of person should become a MHFA?<\/h3>\n
What would your advice be to someone who thinks they could have a mental health issue?<\/h3>\n
How can people in the Department contact you if they need support?<\/h3>\n
\nMDR’s Mental Health First Aiders<\/h3>\n
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Do you want to become a Mental Health First Aider?<\/h3>\n