Similar to CPR, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) gives you the skills to recognize and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or crisis and help get connected to appropriate care. MHFA is an 8-hour public certification course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to individuals exhibiting signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
“I really appreciate Katie’s training approach to creating a conversation around mental health and how we all can contribute to reducing the stigma. Her passion and energy is contagious and makes an otherwise difficult topic so incredibly easy to talk about! I’ve been an educator for 28 years and I’ve yet to come across a trainer be as effective in taking static content and making it come alive through personal narrative and intentional pedagogical design. Katie truly made our team understand that there is HOPE for our university and community and her passion EMPOWERS us all to do and learn more!”
Mental Health First Aider
WHAT IT COVERS:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
- The five-step Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give Reassurance and Information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
- Considerations of how to approach and begin the conversation
- How to apply ALGEE to emerging signs and symptoms, worsening signs and symptoms, and crisis situations
- How to connect individuals to support locally and nationally
- How to help in medical emergencies including overdose
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT:
- Employees
- Supervisors
- University students, staff, and faculty
- Police officers
- Hospital staff
- Social workers
- First responders
- Faith leaders
- Community members
- Caring individuals
I am an experienced MHFA facilitator and has trained and certified more than 1000 Mental Health First Aiders in the Adult and Youth curricula. I regularly receive high feedback scores, positive comments about my training style and facilitation of this program, and how empowered participants feel to provide support after attending a MHFA course. Participants also regularly note my ability to weave in personal narratives of lived experiences related to the topics as a powerful learning opportunity that reinforces the humanity of people living in recovery of their mental illness or substance use disorders.
“Katie is a phenomenal instructor–a real expert in the subject matter of mental health and suicide prevention. She seamlessly weaves the content of MHFA in a way that makes the information easy to understand, comfortable to digest, and made me feel empowered to help support others. Katie is incredibly engaging and easy to listen to; I consider myself very, very lucky to have learned from her.”
Mental Health First Aider
Interested in having your staff or organization join the nearly 3 million nation-wide who have already been trained in Mental Health First Aid? Connect with me about my availability to host a training for your organization including discussing specific training objectives, participant limits, logistics, and associated costs.
For more information about Mental Health First Aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.