Course Overview:
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an early intervention, public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non-judgmentally, how to give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to professional support and services.
This 7.5-hour workshop focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that show there might be a mental health challenge. Learners are then taught an action plan that they apply to both non-crisis and crisis situations.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, Participants will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of MHFA and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
- Identify the impact of mental health and substance use challenges on the well-being of American adults.
- Explain that recovery from a mental health or substance use challenge is possible.
- Describe the principles of safety and privacy for both the Mental Health First Aider and the person receiving aid.
- Explain the five steps of the MHFA action plan (ALGEE).
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact adults.
- Evaluate the impact of early intervention on mental health and substance challenges
- Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA action plan (ALGEE) to a noncrisis scenario where a person shows early signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA action plan (ALGEE) to a noncrisis scenario where a person shows worsening signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA action plan (ALGEE) to a crisis scenario where a person shows signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
- Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of MHFA in a crisis or noncrisis situation.