Mental Health First Aid Webinars

Mental Health First Aid training, based on an evidence-based curriculum created by the National Council for Mental Well-being, endeavors to increase awareness and decrease the stigma associated with mental health challenges. The focus of this training is to help you identify, understand, and respond to the early signs of mental health and substance use challenges. It also allows you to practice the skills needed to reach out and provide initial assistance to someone who needs emotional support and practical help.

5 Mental Health First Aid Training Virtual Options (Virtual or In-person available for private groups upon request):

Adult - This training focuses on identifying, understanding, and responding to the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges using the ALGEE action plan. Whether talking to a friend, neighbor, family member, or coworker, everyone can play an essential part in helping others struggling with mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Adults Working with Children and Youth - This training is specifically directed towards adults who work with children and youth (ages 8-18). Participants can gain the skills needed to reach out and provide the initial support to this vulnerable population who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge and help connect them to the appropriate services.

Public Safety - This training is specially directed towards law enforcement officers, corrections, and public safety audiences. It builds on the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults by focusing on public safety personnel's unique experiences and needs. MHFA is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their coworkers' and families' lives, and the communities they serve. This training better prepares officers and staff to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Fire/EMS - This training is specifically directed towards the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The Fire/EMS module builds upon the effectiveness of the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults curriculum by focusing on the unique experiences and needs of the Fire and EMS personnel. This training will help prepare Fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health and substance misuse challenges.

Older Adults - This training focuses on older adults and aging challenges. The Older Adults module expands upon the effectiveness of the standard Mental Health First Aid for adults curriculum by addressing the increasing number of aging baby boomers and the growing issue of high rates of late-onset mental health disorders and health conditions. This training will help prepare those individuals working with this vulnerable population to learn how to identify and address mental health challenges and connect them to appropriate services.

All training focuses on the use of the ALGEE Action Plan.

5-Step ALGEE Action Plan

• 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.

(Reference: Mental Health First Aid website)

Quick Facts

"An average of 132 people die by suicide each day" - (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2020)

Nearly 1 IN 5 (51.5 Million) U.S. adults lives with a Mental Illness - (National Institute of Mental Health via the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "from 1999–2019, almost 550,000 people died from an overdose involving opioids, including prescription and illicit opioids."

"60% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2017-2018" (Mental Health America).

In 2019, the National Alliance for Mental Illness reported 1 in 6 teens and young adults (6 – 17 years) live with a mental health condition.

As indicated by Mental Health America, "5% of youth report having a substance abuse or alcohol problem" (2018).

According to the Treatment Advocacy Center's report on the role of mental illness and law enforcement encounters (2015), "out of the 4 million adults with untreated severe mental illness 1 in 10 are involved in all law enforcement responses," and "1 in 5 make up all jail and prison inmates."

Contact a team member to schedule an in-person workshop or virtual webinar for your group or organization today!

Cynthia Pollich - cep5@psu.edu

Jacqueline Amor-Zitzelberger - jla17@psu.edu

Denise Continenza - dhc128@psu.edu

Darlene Sansone - dxs74@psu.edu

Rozalia Horvath - ruh226@psu.edu

Malu Tejada - mzt398@psu.edu

Sonya Nace - srr259@psu.edu

Cynthia Fisher - ckb139@psu.edu

Matthew Crutchman - msc205@psu.edu

Chi Catalone - cjb7092@psu.edu

Alyssa DeFazio - aad180@psu.edu

John Wodehouse - jpw20@psu.edu