"The reality - 1 in 5 New Zealanders will experience some form of Mental Illness in their lifetime"
With a population of 4.5 million (2015) almost 1 million people experience some form of mental illness.
Physiological First Aid is one way to minimise the impact Physiological distress on individuals, their friends, whanau and the community. These statics are of course in distressing; however the fact the New Zealand has Suicide rates exceed the Nations fatal road crash rates is alarming.
The basis of the majority of Physiological treatments are 'talking therapies'', New Zealand has had a deafening silence on Suicide and Mental Illness. This approach has clearly not worked.
Physiological First Aid is a program and process to enable people to engage, in a positive way with some experiencing Physiological distress. Physiological First Aid will also provide a 'vehicle' for reducing stigma and discrimination that is prevalent in New Zealand."
About Graham Roper: Founder
Graham has more than three decades of pre-hospital emergency care: including ALS Paramedic, Qualified adult educator, NZQA assessor/mentor and business owner.
Graham has over the past decade, as a result of a living experience of mental illness been appointed in advisory roles within Mental Health and Primary and Secondary services. He is Chairperson for the National Association Mental Health Consumer Advisers.
Graham has also worked with the RANZCP as a community representative on a number of committee's/boards including – therapeutic intervention and the evidenced based practice board (What Works Committee) which has also enabled an in-depth understanding and the development of this program.
In 2014 the Graham founded a nation-wide Health and Safety company specifically designed to meet the regulations and intent of the HSWA 2015.
