Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training provides the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a crisis, and help connect them to the appropriate care.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by teaching how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance to someone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.
Topics:The course will cover:
- The common signs and symptoms of mental illness
- The common signs and symptoms of substance use
- How to interact with a person in crisis
- How to connect the person with help
- Expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care
The course will teach how to apply the MHFA ALGEE Action Plan:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
The course will help:
- Grow knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions.
- Identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction.
- Increase confidence in and likelihood of helping an individual in distress.
