Mental Health First Aid

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. People across the country - in all 50 states and the District of Columbia -are trained in Mental Health First Aid. They know how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and addictions.

This course is delivered by certified Mental Health First Aid USA instructors who complete a 5-day training and meet certification requirements.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis; and substance use.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Mental Health First Aid is listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Studies show that individuals trained in the program increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness and addictions; can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction; increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress; and show reduced social distance to individuals with mental illnesses.

Course Types

Youth: Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

Adult: The adult Mental Health First Aid course is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help adults who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Older Adults: Older adults and care partners are less likely to identify a problem as a symptom of a mental health disorder. Furthermore, older adults have high rates of late onset mental health disorders (anxiety/depression) and low rates of identification and treatment. Mental Health First Aid now offers a tailored supplement which builds upon the effectiveness of the standard Mental Health First Aid curriculum by focusing on the older adult population.

Upcoming Training

Who Takes The Course?

The course helps anyone who wants to learn how to provide initial help to someone who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or crisis. The course gives people tools to help friends, family members, colleagues, or others in their community.

• College/university leaders
• Educators/school administrators
• Human resources professionals
• Nurses/physician assistants/primary care workers
• Public safety personnel
• Members of faith community
• Social services staff and volunteers
• Policymakers
• Substance abuse professionals
• Social workers

Links

www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org