Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid Program & Content Overview Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Like CPR training helps a layperson without medical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a layperson assist someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind Mental Health First Aid demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis situation and builds mental health literacy – helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. Specifically, studies found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. Mental Health First Aid certification, which must be renewed every three years, provides trainees with: · Knowledge of the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety and trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury · A 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, to select and implement appropriate interventions, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care · Understanding of the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced stigma in their communities · Working knowledge of the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources available to help someone with a mental health problem treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery. Mental Health First Aid courses are taught by certified instructors who have successfully completed the 5-day Instructor’s Course taught by a national training team member. There is a fee for the course, and Continuing Education credits may be available for certain professionals (currently the program is approved through IAODAPCA and ISBE). Participants are given a Training Manual to keep and use as a resource.
Content areas include: - Overview of Mental Disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Psychosis
- Substance Use Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Self-Injury
An important component of the program is the 5-step Action Plan that is used when responding to others. An easy-to-remember acronym is taught – ALGEE. The steps of the MHFA Action Plan are: Assess for risk of suicide or harm Listen non-judgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage the person to get appropriate professional or other help Encourage self-help strategies and supports Each section of the program is organized similarly, using the following format: - Definition of the mental health problem, with descriptions and/or statistics
- Signs and symptoms of the problem
- Possible causes and risk factors for the problem
- Effective treatments that are available
- Application of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to the problem
Some sections also include Crisis Action Plans to address very specific situations, including suicidal risk, panic attack, acute stress reactions to traumatic events, acute psychosis with threatening behavior, and substance overdose. Teaching methods used in the program include: - PowerPoint slide presentation
- Training Manual with additional handouts/brochures
- Video presentations
- Pre-Test/Post-Test and worksheets
- Small and large group discussion and discovery
- Role-Plays
- Other interactive training exercises and activities
To schedule or attend a Mental Health First Aid training course in your area, please contact: (815) 224-5039 or info@ncbhs.org | 
