MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID A Collaborative Partnership of National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Maryland State Department of Mental Hygiene and Missouri Department of Mental Health

Mental Health First Aid Created in Australia in 2001 Auspiced by the University of Melbourne Expanded to 14 countries including: Scotland, Hong Kong, Canada, Finland, Singapore, England, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Thailand, and Wales Piloted in the U.S. in 2008 Piloted in Harris County in 2008

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID? Similar to Traditional First Aid and CPR DEFINITION: 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. 12 Hour training program that teaches a 5 step action plan Trainees learn risk factors and warning signs of mental illness and available health treatments to better support family members, friends, coworkers/employees, and the community Upon completion, trainees receive a 3 year certification 3 3

Mental Health First Aid Five Step Action Plan A ssess Risk of Suicide or Harm L isten Non Judgmentally G ive Reassurance and Information E ncourage Appropriate Professional Help E ncourage Self-Help Strategies

Mental Health First Aid Agenda 12 Hour Course Two day course (6 hours per day) Four day course (3 hours per day) *All twelve hours must be attended in order to complete the course and receive certification SESSION 1 Part 1 What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental Health Problems in the USA The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan Part 2 Understanding Depression Crisis First Aid for Suicidal Behavior & Depressive symptoms SESSION 3 Part 1 Understanding Psychotic Disorders Crisis First Aid for Acute Psychosis, Aggressive Behavior, and Psychotic Symptoms Part 2 Understanding Substance Use Disorder Crisis First Aid for Overdose Crisis First Aid for Withdrawal SESSION 2 Part 1 What is Non-Suicidal Self-Injury? Understanding Anxiety Disorders Crisis First Aid for Panic Attacks Part 2 Crisis First Aid for Traumatic events Crisis First Aid for Acute Stress Reaction SESSION 4 Part 1 Understanding Eating Disorders Crisis First Aid for Eating Disorders Part 2 Using Mental Health First Aid in your community

Evidenced Effectiveness Four published studies Improved recognition of mental disorders Better understanding of treatments Greater confidence in providing help Decreased social distance from people with mental disorders Increased help provided to others Increased advice to people to seek professional help

Study Specifics Uncontrolled trial to 210 members of the public in an urban setting Two Controlled trials, one to 300+ public servants, the other to 750+ members of the public in a rural area Qualitative study in 2004 systematically collected and analyzed training participants’ stories http://www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

MHMRA Results and Feedback for Mental Health First Aid 32% average improvement in participant’s knowledge shown through pre/post testing Positive verbal feedback from participants: stating the knowledge gained from Mental Health First Aid helped them to assist someone in need 96% of participants strongly agreed that Mental Health First Aid was helpful to them

MHFA by the Numbers (2008 to Mid-2009) 330 Instructors Certified 36 state presence 180+ Community Trainings to Date 3000+ people trained 1,000 media impressions

Primary Audiences State policymakers Employers Faith communities Law Enforcement Hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers Schools Mental Health Authorities Nursing Home Staff Key Professions Families and caring citizens

MHFA Awards March 2008- Excellence in Mental Health Education Award September 2007- Gold Achievement Award The Winner of the Mental Health Promotion Mental Illness Prevention Program or Project category at the MHS conference. September 2007- Suicide Prevention Australia National “Life” Award- Healthy Communities Category September 2006- Public Health Programs Award for Innovation September 2005- Suicide Prevention Australia, “Life” Award December 2004- Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research (ASPR) Consumer Researcher Award July 2004- Vice- Chancellor’s Award for Community Outreach September 2003- National Mental Health Service Award

What People are saying about MHFA “Just weeks after attending the training, I’ve already used the skills I learned in Mental Health First Aid..” - Hospital Employee “I think any professional who deals with people should take this course, especially emergency personnel, teachers, etc..” -Employment Services Professional “I now feel better prepared for what might happen.” - Homeless Shelter “This info can help a person to become more understanding, rather that judgmental, of someone with a mental illness”- Community Member

Mental Health First Aid “Mental Health First Aid, With its new focus on recovery, has the power to transform communities, the power to change beliefs and the ability to connect people in ways they never would have connected otherwise.” Larry Fricks-- National Consumer Leader and Mental Health First Aid Instructor/Trainer

Vision for MHFA in U.S. Mental Health First Aid will be as commonplace in 5-10 years as CPR and First-Aid are today.

Next Steps Expansion to all 50 states National and state partnerships Evaluation component Program modification for key audiences: supplemental modules, new adaptation and new program development

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U.S. 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 . 9 17

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2: LISTEN NON-JUDGMENTALLY YOU ARE LISTENING TO ME WHEN You really try to understand me, even if I’m not making much sense. You grasp my point of view, even when it’s against your own sincere convictions. You realize the hour I took from you has left you a bit tired and a bit drained. You allow me the dignity of making my own decisions, even though you think they may be wrong. You do not take my problem from me, but allow me to deal with it in my own way. You hold back the desire to give me good advice. You do not offer me religious solace when I am not ready for it. You give me enough room to discover for myself what is really going on. You accept my gratitude by telling me how good it makes you feel to know that you have been helpful. 19

MHMRA of Harris County Adult Mental Health Division 7011 Southwest Freeway Houston, Texas 77074-2007 Sylvia Muzquiz, M.D. Medical Director of Mental Health Services sylvia.muzquiz@mhmraharris.org (713) 970-3365 Clarice Taylor MA, LPC Mental Health Training Coordinator 713-970-7325 Suzette Sova MA, LPC Mental Health First Aid Coordinator suzette.sova@mhmraharris.org (713) 970- 3996

Additional Information The National Council www.thenationalcouncil.org Susan Partain Outreach Associate susanp@thenationalcouncil.org (202) 683-3735 ext. 232