Learn the importance of early intervention. Learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and how to connect youth to appropriate care.

Similar to traditional First Aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.

1. Preserve life when person may be a danger to self or others,
2. Provide help to prevent the problem from becoming more serious,
3. Promote and enhance recovery,
4. Provide comfort and support

Mental Health First Aid helps people respond appropriately when someone is distressed, offer initial support and be a link to resources.

Mental Health First Aid is a program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.

The course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; and provide initial help.

A young person you know could be struggling.
Sometimes first aid isn't a bandage or CPR.
Sometimes, first aid is YOU.

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based education and prevention tool to improve the public’s knowledge of mental health and substance use problems.

Mental Health First Aid helps people know that mental illnesses and addictions are real, common and treatable and that it’s okay to seek help.

• Mental health issues are common
• Stigma is associated with mental health problems
• Many people are not well informed
• Professional help is not always on hand
• People often do not know how to respond in times of need
• People with mental health problems often do not seek help

Anyone, anywhere can make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health or substance use challenge – if they know what to do and what to say.

The greater the number of teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, parents and school support staff trained, the more students will benefit from accessing the help that they need. The ability to recognize that a young person’s lack of focus, bullying behaviors or failure to turn in assignments may be linked to an underlying mental health or substance use problem is an important step in supporting them effectively.

Teachers and support staff need the appropriate tools to engage students who might be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis just as they would be trained to address physical health emergencies. Studies demonstrate that early detection and treatment of mental health and substance use problems in adolescents can make a difference in not only emotional wellness, but also in their academic success.

Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

adult Mental Health First Aid & youth Mental Health First Aid are intended for all people (18 years or older) and organizations that make up the fabric of a community, including hospitals, nursing homes, parent organizations, social clubs, faith community, chambers of commerce, professional associations, rotary clubs, and professionals who regularly interact with people (such as police officers, human resource directors, and primary care workers).

WHO SHOULD TAKE youth MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

• Parents
• Teachers & School Staff
• Coaches
• Social Workers
• Faith Leaders
• Camp counselors
• Youth group leaders
• People who work with youth

WHO SHOULD TAKE adult MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?

• Employers
• Police officers
• Hospital staff
• First responders
• Faith leaders
• Community members
• Caring individuals
• Higher Education educators & college students

Instructors may specialize in providing the course to groups such as: Public safety, Higher education, Military families, and Rural audiences.

• Course is taught by certified instructors.
• Participants receive a 3 year certification upon completion.
• Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and encourage them to access support resources.
• Course provides an opportunity to practice — through role plays, scenarios, and activities — makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.
• An overview of local mental health resources, support groups, and other help are provided.
• A resource manual is provided and packed with information on all topics covered in the course
• Mental Health First Aiders learn a single "ALGEE" 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
  • Assess for risk of suicide or harm
  • Listen non-judgmentally
  • Give reassurance and information
  • Encourage appropriate professional help
  • Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Let us know if you would like to coordinate a private class for 30 people to train in your organization, church, or group. The adult course is available in both English and Spanish.

youth MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

• Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. It is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to support an adolescent (grades 5th-12th) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
• The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches the ALGEE action plan.
• WHAT IT COVERS
  • Common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses in this age group, including:
    Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity
    disorder (ADHD), disorders in which psychosis may occur
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use.
  • How to interact with an adolescent in crisis.
  • How to connect the adolescent with help.

adult MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

• Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
• Teaches a person the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem.
• Teaches a person how to apply the ALGEE action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:
  • Panic attacks
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)
  • Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use
  • Reaction to a traumatic event
• WHAT IT COVERS
  • The training allows for early detection and intervention by teaching participants about the signs and symptoms of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addictions.
  • Teaches how to interact with a person in crisis.
  • Teaches how to connect the person with help.
  • NEW: How to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose.

Teen Mental Health is now being piloted in the U.S. and we hope to bring it to Santa Barbara soon.

The 3.5-hour teen MHFA Course teaches high school students in years 10-12, how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. This course is not a therapy or support group, rather it is an education course for adolescents to learn how to give mental health first aid to peers. Curriculum overview includes... (1) Look for warning signs.  (2) Ask their friend how they are. (3) Listen up — teens learn how to really listen in a way that will really open the conversation. (4) Connect with an adult. (5) Recognize the importance of their friendship.

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