A “Taste” of Mental Health First Aid Presented by: Kristi Scoville, BS, CRPS Department of Mental Health Statewide System of Care Coordinator

Presentation Agenda History of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Program Overview A taste of MHFA for Depression Common Mental Health Problems How to Apply MHFA in Crisis Situations Recovery from Mental Health Problems Q & A/Wrap-up

Mental Health First Aid-What is it? Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) 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.

MHFA ACTION PLAN Mental Health First Aid teaches a five-step action plan, ALGEE, for individuals to provide help to someone who may be in crisis. A - Assess Risk of Suicide or Harm L - Listen Non-judgmentally G - Give Reassurance and Information E - Encourage Appropriate Professional Help E - Encourage Self-help and other support strategies

HISTORY of MHFA In 2001, Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm developed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Program at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University, Melbourne.

MHFA is International! New Zealand (in Maori!) Australia Cambodia Northern Ireland Scotland Singapore South Africa Sweden Thailand USA Wales Australia Cambodia Canada China England Finland Hong Kong Japan Nepal

Mental Health First Aid by the Numbers 2,400 Instructors 49 states, DC & Puerto Rico 70,000 individuals trained

Mental Health First Aid in the News National Public Radio, Morning Edition, October 10, 2011 Mental First Aid: How To Help In An Emotional Crisis by KELLEY WEISS National Public Radio, “Talk of the Nation” October 18, 2011 Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace by NEAL CONAN NEW YORK TIMES, January 23, 2011 Positives With Roots In Tragedy On Campus By MICHAEL WINERIP ABC TV News “For your Health” segment, THE WASHINGTON POST, JAN 18, 2011 Shooting in Tucson sparks interest in 'mental health first aid' courses By RACHEL SASLOW

A Taste of MHFA

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.

Spectrum of Mental Health Interventions

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

Session Two Mental Health First Aid Action Plan Non-suicidal Self-Injury Understanding Anxiety Disorders Panic Attacks Traumatic Events Anxiety Symptoms

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

Session Four Understanding Eating Disorders Mental Health First Aid Action Plan Acute Crisis Eating Disorder Symptoms Using Your Mental Health First Aid Training

A Few Facts 1 in 4 adults has a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Stigma is considered the biggest barrier to recovery for people with mental health disorders Twice as common as breast cancer….wish we had the research, organization and buy in that

What are the Three Most Common Mental Illnesses? Anxiety Disorders Mood Disorders Substance Use Disorders

American Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year TYPE OF MENTAL DISORDER % ADULTS Anxiety disorder 18.1 Major depressive disorder 6.7 Substance use disorder 3.8 Bipolar disorder 2.6 Eating disorders 2.1 Schizophrenia 1.1 Any mental disorder 26.2

Mood disorders Mood disorders include the two common mental illnesses: •         Depression •         Bipolar disorder   In general, these major mental illnesses tend to be "episodic" as the symptoms come and go, leaving periods in between when people can lead fairly normal lives.

What Is Depression? Major depressive disorder lasts for at least 2 weeks and affects a person’s Emotions, thinking, behavior, and physical well-being Ability to work and have satisfying relationships

Let’s put it into Action! SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION Instructions: Divide in groups 5 to 7 people Think of words about depression beginning with each letter of the alphabets. A sign is something we observe from the outside…a symptom is something that the individual feels

The Pain of Depression A Journey Through the Darkness

Signs and Symptoms of Depression Emotions Sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, lack of emotional responsiveness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, irritability Thoughts Frequent self-criticism, self-blame, pessimism, impaired memory and concentration, indecisiveness and confusion, tendency to believe others see one in a negative light, thoughts of death and suicide Not everyone will have all of these signs or symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression Behaviors Crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation, slow movement, use of drugs and alcohol Physical Fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, overeating or loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss or gain, headaches, irregular menstrual cycle, loss of sexual desire, unexplained aches and pains

Assess the risk for suicide or harm ALGEE for Depression Action A: Assess the risk for suicide or harm

Action L Listen non- judgmentally ALGEE for Depression Action L Listen non- judgmentally

Action G Give Reassurance and Information ALGEE for Depression Action G Give Reassurance and Information

Action E Encourage Appropriate Professional Help ALGEE for Depression Action E Encourage Appropriate Professional Help

Action E Encourage Self-help and other Support Strategies ALGEE for Depression Action E Encourage Self-help and other Support Strategies

MHFA ACTION PLAN A- Assess Risk of Suicide or Harm L - Listen Non- judgmentally G - Give Reassurance and Information E - Encourage Appropriate Professional Help E - Encourage Self-help and other support strategies The ABC’s of First Aid are A- Airway cleared B- Breathing (Checking to see if the person is Breathing) C- Circulation (Checking the pulse of the indiviudal)

Applying Mental Health First Aid for Crises Suicidal thought and behaviors Non-suicidal self-injury Panic attacks Adult affected by traumatic events Children affected by traumatic events Acute psychosis Medical emergency from alcohol abuse Aggressive behavior

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.  For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms.”  - President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

MHFA -How can I get it? 12 Hour MHFA course Contact an instructor www.mentalhealthfirs taid.org Order manuals Move forward Practice what has been learned

CONTACT INFORMATION To schedule a MHFA training for your organization contact: www.mhfamissouri.org or Jermine Alberty, Training Director Missouri Institute of Mental Health Jermine.Alberty@mimh.edu 816-359-7552 Or Rita McElhany, MHFA Coordinator MO Department of Mental Health Rita.mcelhany@dmh.mo.gov 573-751-3220

Questions?