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Mental Health First Aid
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental
Health First Aid 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.
Just as 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 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:
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Knowledge of the potential risk factors and warning signs for
a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma,
psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance
use disorders, and self-injury
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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
-
An understanding of the prevalence of various mental health
disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced stigma in their
communities
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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.
History
In
2001, Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm developed the initial
Mental Health First Aid Training and Research Program in Australia.
The program is currently available in Australia, Canada, England,
Finland, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, and
Wales.
Mental
Health First Aid training was first offered in the U.S. in 2008.
MHANYS staff was certified as Mental Health First Aid Trainers
in July 2010.
To learn more about Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. visit
www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org
To
learn more about Autralia’s program visit www.mhfa.com.au
Need
more information?
If you would like more information or to schedule a training with
us please call 518.434.0439.
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