ALGEE Action Plan

What does ALGEE stand for?

• AAssessment, Listen, Guide, Encourage Education
• BAssess, Label, Give, Encourage, Emergency
• CApproach/Assess, Listen, Give support, Encourage professional help, Encourage self-help✓
• DAlert, Location, Group, Emergency, Education

Answer: ALGEE is the Mental Health First Aid action plan: Approach/Assess, Listen, Give support, Encourage professional help, Encourage self-help.

What is the first step in ALGEE - 'Approach/Assess'?

• AImmediately call emergency services
• BSafely approach the person, assess whether they are in immediate danger✓
• CLeave them alone
• DTell others about their problems

Answer: Approach/Assess involves approaching safely, checking for immediate risk or danger, and ensuring safety before proceeding.

What does 'active listening' involve in the 'Listen' step?

• APlanning what you'll say next
• BHearing without responding
• CFocused attention without judgment, reflecting back what you hear, validating feelings✓
• DListening only to positive parts

Answer: Active listening involves full attention, reflecting back the person's words, validating their emotions, and showing empathy without judgment.

What should you NOT do when listening to someone in distress?

• AUse a tone of voice that conveys empathy
• BImmediately offer advice or minimize their concerns✓
• CMaintain eye contact and open body language
• DLet them talk at their own pace

Answer: Avoid immediately offering advice, minimizing feelings, or showing judgment. Instead, listen, validate, and let them express themselves.

What does 'Give support' in ALGEE involve?

• ATelling them what to do
• BOffering practical help, validation, and staying with them✓
• CMaking them feel better immediately
• DSuggesting they weren't really struggling

Answer: Give support by offering practical help, validation of their experience, emotional support, and ensuring safety.

What kind of practical support can you offer someone experiencing mental health crisis?

• AOnly talk to them
• BHelp them contact support services, offer to stay with them, provide practical assistance✓
• CLeave them completely alone
• DTell everyone about it immediately

Answer: Practical support includes helping them access professional services, being present, offering basic care (food, water, safety), and coordinating with others.

What is the goal of 'Encourage professional help' in ALGEE?

• AForce them to see a therapist
• BSuggest their problems aren't serious enough
• CSupport them in accessing appropriate professional mental health care✓
• DMake decisions for them

Answer: Encourage professional help by supporting (not forcing) them to access appropriate services, providing information about options, and offering assistance.

What professional services might you encourage someone to access?

• AOnly psychiatry
• BGP, counseling, therapy, crisis teams, support groups✓
• COnly emergency services
• DNo professional services help

Answer: Professional options include GP assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, NHS mental health services, crisis teams, and support organizations.

What does 'Encourage self-help' in ALGEE mean?

• ATell them they don't need professional help
• BSupport them in developing coping strategies, lifestyle changes, and self-support activities✓
• CLeave all responsibility with them
• DIgnore their need for support

Answer: Encourage self-help by supporting healthy coping strategies, exercise, sleep, social connection, and self-management techniques.

What self-help strategies might you encourage?

• AOnly professional interventions work
• BExercise, sleep, social connection, hobbies, relaxation techniques, limiting alcohol✓
• CIsolation and avoidance
• DIgnoring the problem

Answer: Self-help strategies include physical activity, good sleep, social support, meaningful activities, relaxation, and reducing substance use.

How should you approach someone you're concerned about using ALGEE?

• AAccusingly, demanding they get help
• BWith respect, expressing concern, without judgment✓
• CThrough text only to avoid confrontation
• DVia social media post

Answer: Approach with genuine concern, respect for their autonomy, and non-judgment. Choose a private, calm setting.

Can you use ALGEE with someone who is suicidal?

• ANo, only professionals can help
• BYes, ALGEE applies across all mental health situations including suicidal crises✓
• COnly partly - some steps don't apply
• DOnly in non-emergencies

Answer: ALGEE is applicable in all mental health crises, including suicide situations. It provides a framework for initial supportive response.