Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems. MHFA provides participants with an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need. Mental Health First Aiders can even save lives.
Region Ten can provide FREE Mental Health First Aid training to your community group, workplace, faith organization or other group by request! We all know someone who may be dealing with a mental health concern, and now more than ever, is the time to learn to be an effective community responder. Learn more about MHFA training below.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps participants to identify mental health and substance use problems, and develop an action plan to safely and responsibly address these concerns with a friend, colleague, or loved one. MHFA training is available to help address both youth and adult mental health concerns, and is available for free, both in-person and virtually.
What Adult Mental Health First Aid covers:
- Common signs and symptoms of adult mental health challenges.
- Common signs and symptoms of adult substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a person in crisis.
- How to connect a person with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
What Youth 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 hyperactivity 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.
How Do I Get Trained!
Trainings are 6.5-8 hours in length, depending upon the format, and are available in-person and virtually. For more information or to request a training, email prevention@regionten.org for more information or to request training for your organization. To join our monthly virtual training as an individual go to https://regionten.org/events/ to view openings in our regular community trainings schedule.