Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Course Details
Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis:
- 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
Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of professionals — they do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions, like “what do I do?” and “where can someone find help?” Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community healthcare providers and national resources, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive a program manual to complement the course material.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Registration
Classes are open to the public and free of charge. Upon completion of the day’s training, graduates will receive certification. Please note: this course is designed for the general public and not for mental health professionals. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
Adult Mental Health First Aid: Our Adult Mental Health First Aid courses fill up quickly. If you are interested in attending, please complete the form below to be placed on the waiting list. You will be notified when registration opens for future classes.
Youth Mental Health First Aid: We are actively seeking schools and other youth-serving organizations that are interested in hosting a Youth Mental Health First Aid course for their staff or community. Please contact Maureen Traverse at 614-221-1441 or mtraverse@mhaohio.org for more information.
If you are an individual who would like to attend a Youth Mental Health First Aid class, please complete the form below to be placed on the waiting list. You will be notified when registration opens for future classes.
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About
This program is provided FREE thanks to the generosity of our partners: The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) funding the project “MHFA to Benefit All Ohioans” including additional project partners the Miami University’s Center for School Based Mental Health Programs and Discovery Center for Evaluation, Research and Professional Learning, Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success, and many dedicated instructors.
