By Olivia Hook
When one thinks of first aid, thoughts usually go to bandages, splints, and ice packs. These and other items are important when taking care of someone who has been physically injured. But what about when the wound is psychological in nature? Many people who are skilled at handling the former situation feel inadequate to help with the latter.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a nationally recognized in-person training that teaches individuals the best ways to help those developing a mental illness or mental health crisis. Created by mental health clinicians in Australia, the program has been adapted for use in the U.S. and more than 20 other countries. The eight-hour course is designed to educate the general public and other non-mental health professionals on skills they can use to help someone who is experiencing a mental health issue or a mental health crisis before appropriate professional or family support arrives.
The program covers such topics as the warning signs of depression and suicidal behaviors, dealing with trauma and psychosis, the transformation of mental health care in the United States, and much more.
Locally, the effort to bring adult and youth MHFA training to this region was spearheaded by Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, with support from the McLean County Center for Human Services and the McLean County and Woodford County health departments. The classes debuted this past spring.
“Mental health is one of the key items identified in both Advocate BroMenn Medical Center’s and Advocate Eureka Hospital’s assessment of community health needs,” says Sally Gambacorta, manager of Wellness Services at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. Mental health was also identified as a key health need for McLean County community health plan for 2012-2017. “We are presenting a united front by collaborating with the McLean County Center for Human Services and both the McLean County and Woodford County health departments in offering both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses to the community.”
Instructors must first be certified through a minimum of five days of training by authorized instructors with Mental Health First Aid USA. Instructors must teach a minimum of three courses per year to maintain their certification. Certified instructors from the McLean County Center for Human Services teach the local courses.
According to studies on MHFA, these programs are effective. Findings show that the program saves lives and decreases stigmatizing attitudes toward the mentally ill. In addition, participants come away with:
- Increased knowledge about signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness and addictions
- The ability to identify multiple sources of professional and self-help resources for those with mental health issues
- Increased confidence and likeliness to help someone in mental distress
- Improved mental wellness themselves
Gambacorta adds, “Offering the Mental Health First Aid courses is one way in which we are trying to help address the mental health needs of our community.”
Classes are already being scheduled into 2015, with the next Adult Mental Health First Aid class set for Feb. 17 and the next Youth Mental Health First Aid class April 24.
To find out more about Mental Health First Aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org. To sign up for a local course, call Advocate Health Advisor at 1-800-3ADVOCATE (3286) or visit www.advocatehealth.com/bromenn.
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