Keeping our mental health safe

Last Monday, 1st July 2024, at a ceremony in Garda Headquarters, nine more Garda personnel graduated as accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Facilitators. These new graduates will help deliver certified MHFA training courses to Garda personnel over the coming years.

MHFA is the initial help given to someone who is struggling with their mental health. This first aid can be administered until appropriate professional support is received, or until the problem is resolved.

Monday’s graduation was the result of a partnership programme between An Garda Síochána and Mental Health First Aid Ireland. The aim of this programme is to provide all Garda personnel with a better understanding of mental health issues, to reduce the stigma around this topic, and to help participants recognise when someone may be in difficulty or crisis with their mental health.

Speakers at the ceremony included Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon and Dr Oghenovo Oghuvbu, Chief Medical Officer, both of whom congratulated the graduates on their achievement and highlighted the importance of good mental health, especially in a policing context.

Congratulations to all of Monday's graduates. Information on how you can become an MHFA Training Facilitator can be found here. The deadline for expressions of interest is 12 July 2024.