A daughter reaches out to her Dad with Mental Health First Aid.
This is true story shared by one of our Mental Health First Aider's with permission to share.
Lisa's father had been separated from her mother for about two years and while her mother was getting on with her life, Lisa was increasingly concerned about her Dad.
She had noticed that slowly he had been giving up the things he enjoyed; he no longer played golf and as far as she could tell was having less and less contact with his friends. Lisa had noticed that he was not taking care of his unit or himself as he had done previously.
Lisa tells me that she suspected that her Dad was depressed and decided to put her MHFA into action. She re-read the section of the manual on Depression and then started to plan her 'approach'. Lisa prepared an 'I' statement and went to see her Dad at a time when he and she were able to be private and have time to talk.
What Lisa found upon approaching her Dad and telling him of her concerns was:
Lisa tells me she was able to talk about MHFA with her Dad and ask him to be her practice person. This meant she could use MHFA openly with him. She was able to listen non-judgmentally to her father as he talked of the darkness that had overtaken him. She was able to be reassuring and give support and information about Depression.
Lisa supported her father to see his GP. His GP prescribed antidepressant medication and put him on a Mental Health Care Plan. He was able to see a Psychologist.
Lisa sent me this story 10 months after that first 'approach' to her Dad about his depression. She tells me he is doing well and back to golf and seeing some friends regularly. Lisa says that the opportunity to be with her Dad through this time has strengthened their relationship and she feels very privileged to have been able to support him.
Remember, Mental Health is everyone's business.
