Mental Health First Aid Courses
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.
Identify. Understand. Respond.
What Mental Health First Aid Covers
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in
this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). - Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
- How to connect the youth with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and
the impact of social media and bullying.
Two Ways to Learn
- In-person – Learners will receive their training as an 8-hour,
Instructor-led, in-person course. - Blended – Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online
course, and participate in a 4.5- to 5.5-hour, Instructor-led
training. This Instructor-led Training can be:» A video conference.
» An in-person class.
Who Should Know Mental Health First Aid?
- Teachers
- School Staff
- Coaches
- Camp Counselors
- Youth Group Leaders
- Parents
- Adults who Work with Youth
Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):
A ssess for risk of suicide or harm.
L isten nonjudgmentally.
G ive reassurance and information.
E ncourage appropriate professional help.
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies.
Sources
* National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Kids. https://www.nami.org/Your-
Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids
** Mental Health First Aid. (2020). Mental Health First Aid USA for adults
assisting children and youth. National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
*** Kessler, R., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E.
(2005, June). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV
disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General
Psychiatry. 62(6); 593-602. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593
Cost
This program is paid for through grant funding. Due to limited seating, if 48-hour cancellation is not provided you or your organization will be billed for the cost of a seat in the amount of $170.
Youth
YMHFA
Skills-based training that teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors and health, and human services workers, and any other adult how to identify, understand and respond to an adolescent (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid is available in English and Spanish.
Why Mental Health Matters for Youth
1 in 5
One in five youth will experience a mental health challenge at some point during their life.
17.1 m
17.1 million youth under the age of 18 have or have had a psychiatric disorder – more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
7.4%
7.4% of children in the United States have a mental health visit in a given year.
How Youth Mental Health First Aid Can Help
Informs adults about common mental health concerns among youth.
Reduces stigma.
Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use problems in youth.
Provides adults with skills to use a 5-step action plan to help a youth.
Fall Virtual Training
Tues. September 13, 2022 (9am – 2:30pm)
Tues. September 20 & 27, 2022 (4:30pm – 7pm)
Must complete both sessions
Tues. October 18 & 25, 2022 (1:30pm – 4pm)
Must complete both sessions
Teen
tMHFA
Skills-based training teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge among their friends and peers. The program equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need to take care of their own mental health and support each other, including how to get the help of a trusted adult.
Why Mental Health Matters for Teens
1 in 5
teens have had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life.
49.5%
of adolescents ages, 13-18 have a mental disorder.
#2
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents ages 15-19.
How Teen Mental Health First Aid Can Help
Course content addresses common mental health challenges in young people.
Understanding reduces stigma.
Youth learn how and when to involve a responsible and trusted adult.
Teens have an Action Plan to help friends and peers who may be facing a mental health challenge or crisis, such as suicide.
Adult
MHFA
Skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. Adult Mental Health First Aid is available in English and Spanish.
Why Mental Health Matters for Adults
1 in 4
1 in 4 fatal law enforcement encounters involves an individual experiencing mental illness.
12
Approximately 12 police officers complete suicide month.
1,000
Approximately 1,000 officers are experiencing PTSD on the job.
How Adult Mental Health First Aid Can Help
Addresses common mental health concerns encountered by adults.
Understanding reduces stigma.
Teaches strategies for family members, friends and peers to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges and offer support.
Offers self-help strategies for staying mentally well.
Public Safety
Skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. Adult Mental Health First Aid is available in English and Spanish.
Why Mental Health Matters for Public Safety
1 in 5
teens have had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life.
50%
Almost half of all American adults will experience a mental illness during the course of their lifetime.
20 m+
More than 20 million Americans ages 12 and older will face an addiction.
How Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety Can Help
Improves the way law enforcement interacts with people facing mental health and addiction challenges.
Models de-escalation techniques useful when responding to people in crisis safely and effectively.
Understanding reduces stigma.
Teaches skills to safely address a comrade’s mental health or substance use challenge.
Increases mental health and substance use literacy.
Fire & EMS
Skills-based training that teaches firefighters and EMS personnel how to identify, understand and respond to someone experiencing mental health and substance challenges. The program focuses on the unique experiences and needs of firefighters and EMS personnel, including how to intervene in the field and among their peers.
Why Mental Health Matters for Fire and EMS Workers
85%
Approximately 85 percent of first responders have experienced symptoms related to mental health issues.
75%
Around 75 percent of rescue workers report mild symptoms of psychological trauma following a disaster.
40%
According to a national survey of first responders, nearly 40 percent of respondents said there would be negative repercussions for seeking mental health help at work.
How Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS Can Help
Teaches skills to safely address a colleague’s mental health or substance use challenge.
Understanding reduces stigma.
Teaches skills to safely address a mental health or substance use challenge on the scene of an emergency.
Increases mental health and substance use literacy.
