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Mental Health First Aid Webinars

Individuals and groups interested in learning about mental health and supporting others in the community are encouraged to attend a webinar or contact the team to find out how you can schedule a private workshop for your organization today!

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Updated:

April 22, 2024

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Mental Health First Aid training, based on an evidence-based curriculum created by the National Council for Mental Well-being, endeavors to increase awareness and decrease the stigma associated with mental health challenges. The focus of this training is to help you identify, understand, and respond to the early signs of mental health and substance use challenges. It also allows you to practice the skills needed to reach out and provide initial assistance to someone who needs emotional support and practical help.

5 Mental Health First Aid Training Virtual Options (Virtual or In-person available for private groups upon request):

Adult - This virtual or in-person training focuses on identifying, understanding, and responding to the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges using the ALGEE action plan. Whether talking to a friend, neighbor, family member, or coworker, everyone can play an essential part in helping others struggling with mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Adults Working with Children and Youth - This virtual or in-person training is specifically directed towards adults who work with children and youth (ages 8-18). Participants can gain the skills needed to reach out and provide the initial support to this vulnerable population who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge and help connect them to the appropriate services.

Public Safety - This in-person training is particularly tailored for law enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and individuals in public safety roles. It builds on the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults by focusing on public safety personnel's unique experiences and needs. MHFA is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their coworkers' and families' lives, and the communities they serve. This training better prepares officers and staff to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Fire/EMS - This in-person training is explicitly aimed at fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The Fire/EMS module builds upon the effectiveness of the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults curriculum by focusing on the unique experiences and needs of the Fire and EMS personnel. This training will help prepare Fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Older Adults -This in-person training focuses on older adults and aging challenges. The Older Adults module expands upon the effectiveness of the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults curriculum by addressing the increasing number of aging baby boomers and the growing issue of high rates of late-onset mental health disorders and health conditions. This training will help prepare those individuals working with this vulnerable population to learn how to identify and address mental health challenges and connect them to appropriate services.

All training focuses on the use of the ALGEE Action Plan.

5-Step ALGEE Action Plan

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.

(Reference: Mental Health First Aid website)

Quick Facts

"An average of 132 people die by suicide each day" - (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, n.d.)

It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness or nearly 57.8 million U.S. adults in 2021 lives with a Mental Illness - (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.), "From 1999 to 2019, nearly 841,000 people died from a drug overdose. In 2019, nearly 71,000 people died from drug overdoses."

"8.2% of youth (or 1.9 million youth) experienced severe depression. Depressive symptoms result in significant interference in school, home and in relationships." (Mental Health America, n.d.).

The National Alliance for Mental Illness reported "suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14" (n.d.).

As indicated by National Council for Mental Wellbeing, "10.2% of youth will be diagnosed with a substance use disorder in their lifetime" (2020).

According to The Ruderman Family Foundation, "police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty" (2022).