Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally known skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge. MHFA Overview: an infographic overview of MHFA.
A Mental Health First Aider, also called a First Aider, is a person who has successfully completed a Mental Health First Aid training. First Aiders have empathy for people living with mental illness and substance use problems. Their increased mental health literacy enables them to identify risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance use challenges, confidence to provide strategies to help someone in crisis and non-crisis situations, and knowledge of where to turn for help.
- A discussion of campus culture and its relevance to the topic of mental health, specifically depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders.
- A specific action plan.
- A review of mental health resources available on campus and Northfield and opportunity to ask questions about resources.
- De-escalation and interventions strategies for: panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions), overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use, and reaction to a traumatic event.
- The opportunity to practice — through role-plays, scenarios, and activities — makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.
- Certificate of completion (valid for 3 years).
Peer-reviewed studies have been conducted around the world and show that individuals trained in the program:
- Grow their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions.
- Can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge.
- Increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
- Show increased mental wellness themselves.
Registration closes two weeks prior to each training, to register for a training please click here.
* a two-hour self-paced online course must be completed prior to this virtual synchronous meeting.
If you are interested in having a group of 10-30 people trained (ie. sports team, music group, etc.) on a specific day/time, contact Jenny Ortiz (ortizj@stolaf.edu).
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