Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need 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.
Mental Health First Aiders are…
Teachers, first responders and veterans. They’re neighbors, parents and friends. They’re people in recovery, and those supporting a loved one. They’re First Ladies and Mayors. Mental Health First Aiders are anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all. More than 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in Mental Health First Aid by a dedicated base of more than 15,000 Instructors.
Mental Health First Aid Matters
Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.
When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need! Mental Health First Aiders are a vital link between someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge and appropriate supports.
Join us as a community Mental Health First Aider! Browse the upcoming training times on this page to register to attend or you can find our main calendar here.
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 in MHFA and YMHFA
- Depression and mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma
- Psychosis
- Substance Use disorders
- Disruptive behavior disorders
- Eating disorders
Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.
Western Tidewater CSB offers regular training for Youth MHFA through the Suffolk Public Schools.
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.
TOPICS COVERED in Youth MHFA
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use
- Disorders in which psychosis may occur
- Disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD)
- Eating disorders.
Date: May 2nd, 2024
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm (EST)
Location: HARBOUR VIEW Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Angela Brown
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.
Register Here:
This training has reached capacity. Please visit our calendar for other MHFA training opportunities.
Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.
TOPICS COVERED in MHFA
- Depression and mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma
- Psychosis
- Substance Use disorders
Date: June 14th, 2024
Time: 9:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: SENTARA OBICI HOSPITAL – 2800 Godwin Blvd, Suffolk VA 23434, Ground floor classrooms A/B
Trainers: DeMari Turner and Brian Van der Linden
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need 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.
Mental Health First Aiders are…
Teachers, first responders and veterans. They’re neighbors, parents and friends. They’re people in recovery, and those supporting a loved one. They’re First Ladies and Mayors. Mental Health First Aiders are anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.
More than 2.5 million people across the United States have been trained in Mental Health First Aid by a dedicated base of more than 15,000 Instructors.
Mental Health First Aid Matters
Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.
When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need. Mental Health First Aiders are a vital link between someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge and appropriate supports.
Register Here: