Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Aid to Mental Illness, October 22, 2002
"First Aid to Mental Illness" by Michael G. Rayel, MD, is a recently published self-help guide. The title is catchy and promises to fill a need experienced by anyone who has had occasion to deal with mental illness as a layman; which would probably include the entire population. Whether it is cousin Susie, who can't seem to shake her postpartum depression or a younger brother who has delved way beyond experimenting into hard drug use, there are few among us who have not wished that we could have taken a first aid course in mental health instead of CPR. Dr. Rayel is a clinician, an administrator and the author of several teaching guides. He is currently Chief of Psychiatry at G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville, Newfoundland. These credentials have enabled him to write a guide that is both clinically accurate and comprehensible to the average reader. And, for many, it could mean the difference between creating additional stressors on a family in crisis and keeping things on an even keel until professional help is available. Based on the doctor's own clinical experience, and illustrated with actual case histories, the book is well structured and readable. As with most self-help books, "First Aid to Mental Illness" will probably not be read from cover to cover. Rather, readers will seek those chapters that apply to the particular problem that they are dealing with at the time. The author even includes suggestions to help the person who is suffering from the problem. This is a great help those who fear what they are experiencing and who still worry about the stigma attached, by some, to mental illness. Among the issues covered, chapter by chapter, include depression, mood swings, panic attacks, phobia, obsessions and compulsions, eating disorders and grief. There is also a section on early interventions that caregivers can use and simple techniques for remembering what to do when a crisis occurs. In addition, Dr. Rayel has included a list of commonly asked questions, as well as an index of resources and recommended readings for further information. Finally, this practical guide would make an excellent teaching tool for training paraprofessionals employed in the social service field. These workers are often faced with clients who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses, yet may never have been diagnosed. Learning how to recognize symptoms and knowing how to administer front line "first aid" could be invaluable in decreasing employee burnout as well as increasing agency efficiency. As a Substance Abuse Counselor, I plan to introduce my colleagues to the book and hope to make it a part of our in-service education plan.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for lay persons, September 17, 2002
To those experiencing minor problems or who have to deal with someone with a mental illness, "First Aid to Mental Illness" can be a Godsend. The whole concept of first aid for the mentally ill seems to have eluded the medical establishment until now. Written for the lay person to help them understand the signs, symptoms and early intervention techniques, it is an invaluable resource. Initially the book covers three basic frameworks within which first aid is possible. These frameworks are represented by the acronyms CARE, HELP and HEAL. CARE is the initial response and stands for Checking for the presence of the mental illness, Anticipating possible complications, Remedy with early intervention, and Educating yourself about the illness. EAL framework depending on whether you are the caregiver or the patient. The HELP paradigm is for caregivers. It stands for Help patients through the basics of first aid, Empathize generously, Listen actively and Prevent yourself from getting sick. HEAL provides the framework for a patient. It stands for Help youself through the basics of first aid, Encourage yourself, Address the issues and Learn to cope. After discussing these basic frameworks the book goes into the basics of mental first aid followed with developing coping skills to deal with the illness. Then the rest of the book deals with applying the techniques to specific conditions including depression, mood swings, panick attacks, phobias, obsessive and compulsive problems, trauma, anxiety, psychosis, dementia and others. Filled with various scenarios to help you learn how to recognize and deal with the ilnesses and concluding with an extensive section on Resources and References it is a valuable guide for everyone.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical Mental Health Interventions Everyone Can Learn!, May 1, 2004
I highly recommend First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients and Caregivers by psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Rayel. The author provides invaluable factual information to his readers in an engaging manner, while maintaining a compassionate approach toward addressing mental health concerns. This book teaches the average person specific strategies to more effectively recognize and respond to a mental illness in themselves or others.Dr. Rayel provides a number of easy-to-use, step-by-step frameworks, including the CARE Approach. As an example, you would first CHECK for signs of mental illness, such as significant changes in thought, emotions or behavior. Then, you would ANTICIPATE complications, including the possibility of suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. Next, you would REMEDY the problem with an intervention, such as addressing the ongoing problems. Finally, you would EDUCATE yourself and others about the mental illness in order to dispel myths and decrease stigma. Besides providing practical strategies for early recognition and intervention, Dr. Rayel discusses thirteen different mental illnesses including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, anxiety, and eating disorders. I like how the author uses real-life case studies to highlight how mental illnesses can affect anyone, despite age, intelligence, or socioeconomic status. As a psychotherapist, I especially appreciate the effort Dr. Rayel takes to explain complex psychological concepts accurately, and in everyday language that is easy to understand. In developing a course on Mental Illness First Aid for the Canadian Mental Health Association, I chose Dr. Rayel's book as the official textbook, because it is clearly written, uses practical strategies, and is easy to read and understand without being simplistic. Participants in the course specifically learn how to use the CARE approach to recognize and respond to mental illnesses in an effective and timely manner. The participant feedback about the CARE framework and the textbook, First Aid to Mental Illness: A Practical Guide for Patients and Caregivers, has been overwhelmingly positive!! I highly recommend Dr. Rayel's book to (1) caregivers and those they love who are struggling with a mental illness; (2) those interested in physical and psychological health and wellness; and (3) anyone who works with people, including police officers, teachers, transit operators, case managers, nurses, youth workers, business managers, medical doctors, community centre staff, peer counselors, and the like.
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