A Collaborative Partnership
NATIONAL COUNCIL for Community Behavioral
Healthcare
Maryland State Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene
Missouri Department of Mental
Health

What Is Mental Health First Aid?
The help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis until professional treatment is received or the crisis resolves.

What You Learn
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Overview of mental health problems
 Depressive/Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
Disorders in which psychosis occurs
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Substance use disorders
Eating disorders
Mental Health First Aid for crisis situations
Mental Health First Aid for non-crisis situations

Potential Audiences
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Hospitals and health centers
Employers
Faith communities
Schools/universities
Law enforcement/first responders
Nursing home staff
Consumers, families and caring citizens
Mental health authorities
Policymakers

Program Origins
 Created in Australia in 2001
 Auspiced at the University of Melbourne
 Expanded to 17 countries, including
Scotland, China, Canada, Finland,
Singapore, Ireland, Wales, England,
Cambodia, Japan, South Africa,
Thailand and New Zealand.
 Piloted in the U.S. in 2008

Evidenced Effectiveness
 Four published randomized control trials and a qualitative study (in Australia)
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Increases mental health literacy
Expands individuals ’ knowledge of how to help someone in crisis
 Connects individuals to needed services
 Reduces stigma

People Are Saying . . .
 “ I now feel better prepared for what might happen.
”
Homeless Shelter Volunteer
 “ This info can help a person become more understanding, rather than judgmental, of someone with a mental illness ”
Community Member

People Are Saying . . .
 “ Just weeks after attending the training,
I ’ ve already used the skills I learned in
Mental Health First Aid… ”
Hospital Employee
 “ I think any professionals who deal with people should take this course, especially emergency personnel, teachers, . . .
”
Employment Services Professional

By the Numbers: 2008-2011
 45,000+ Mental Health First Aiders
 1,800+ instructors certified
 45 states, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico

Vision
By 2020, Mental
Health First Aid in the USA will be as common as CPR and
First Aid.

How it Works
Training Components
 12-hour community program offered by instructors
 5-day instructor certification training offered by the National Council,
Missouri Department of Mental
Health, and Maryland Department of
Health & Mental Hygiene
 Lets take a look at the 4 sessions.

Program Overview:
Session 1
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What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health Problems in the United States
Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
 Understanding Depression
 Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
 Suicidal Behavior
 Depressive Symptoms
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2

Session 2
 Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
 Nonsuicidal Self-Injury
 Understanding Anxiety Disorders
 Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
 Panic Attacks
 Traumatic Events
 Anxiety Symptoms
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3

Session 3
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Understanding Psychosis
Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
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Acute Psychosis
Aggressive Behavior
Psychotic Symptoms
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Understanding Substance Use Disorders
Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
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Overdose
Withdrawal
Substance Use Disorders
 4

Session 4
 Understanding Eating Disorders
 Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
 Acute Crisis
 Eating Disorder Symptoms
 Using Your Mental Health First Aid Training
 5

What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
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Why Mental Health First Aid?
 Mental health problems are common.
 Stigma is associated with mental health problems.
 Many people are not well informed about mental health problems.
 Professional help is not always on hand.
 People often do not know how to respond.
 People with mental health problems often do not seek help.
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What Is a Mental Disorder?
A mental disorder or mental illness is a diagnosable illness that:
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Affects a person ’ s thinking, emotional state, and behavior
Disrupts the person ’ s ability to
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Work
Carry out daily activities
Engage in satisfying relationships
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U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in
Any One Year
Type of Mental Disorder
Anxiety disorder
Major depressive disorder
Substance use disorder
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders
Schizophrenia
Any mental disorder
% Adults
19.1 .
6.8 .
8.0 .
2.8
2.1 .
.45 .
19.6 .
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The Impact of Mental Illness
 Mental illnesses can be more disabling than many chronic physical illnesses. For example:
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The disability from moderate depression is similar to the impact from relapsing multiple sclerosis, severe asthma, or chronic hepatitis B.
The disability from severe post-traumatic stress disorderis comparable to the disability from paraplegia.
 “ Disability ” refers to the amount of disruption a health problem causes to a person ’ s ability to:
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Work
Carry out daily activities
Engage in satisfying relationships
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Recovery from Mental Illness
“ Recovery is the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
”
“ For some, this is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability.
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“ For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms.
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—
President
’ s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003
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Spectrum of Mental Health
Interventions
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Mental Health First Aid
A ssess for risk of suicide or harm
L isten nonjudgmentally
G ive reassurance and information
E ncourage self-help and other support strategies
E ncourage appropriate professional help
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For More Information www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org
cdaly@steppingstonesusa.org
207.538.6231