Mental Health First Aid course

Mental Health First Aid Overview

Mental Health First Aid is an interactive 12-hour training course that:

• presents an overview of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in the United States;
• introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems;
• provides an overview of current treatment options; and
• teaches a five-step action strategy (ALGEE) encompassing skills related to assessing risk, respectful listening, and helping an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

The program was developed in Australia in 2001 and brought to the United States in 2008.  The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy by helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness.

The Mental Health First Aid course has benefitted a variety of audiences, including human resource professionals.  The information is most relevant in situations where it becomes apparent to others that persons in their network are developing mental health problems.  However, the course is also useful in providing information on how to assist persons who have a history of mental illness or longer-term mental health problems.

Diane Kelly, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Roanoke Valley, is certified as a Mental Health First Aid instructor by the National Council on Behavioral Healthcare.

Mental Health America will offer to HR professionals (SHRM members) on March 13 and 14 (8am-3pm), 6 hours per day, at the Cultural Arts for Excellence Center at 1707 Cove Road.  The cost will be $100 (lunch not included), the course has been pre-approved for 12 hours of SHRM continuing education credit.

To obtain additional information or register for the training, please contact Diane Kelly at mharv@infionline.net or call the MHARV office at 540-344-0931. Deadline for registration is March 6th