1. Mental Health First Aid 101
Presenter:
Mike Hoenig, MA
Program Coordinator, State and Community Projects
Center for Disabilities and Development

2. Learning Objectives During this session participants will learn:
The fundamentals of the Mental Health First Aid Certification Training curriculum.
Prevalence of mental health problems in the US and the recovery model
How to apply the Mental Health First Aid Action plan in crisis and non-crisis situations

3. What is MHFA? What is Physical First Aid?
Help provided to a person in physical crisis
Who is certified?
Most people, even those not certified, know the basics
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.
GOAL: Everyone will know the basics!

4. Goals of MHFA
1. Preserve life when a person may be a danger to themselves or others
2. Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a serious state.
3. Promote recovery of good mental health
4. Provide comfort to a person with a mental health problem.

5. Outline of the Course
Overview of mental health problems in the United States and Iowa
The MHFA Action Plan-
Assess for risk of harm or self/harm
Listen Non Judgmentally
Give reassurance and information
Encourage self-help strategies
Encourage professional help
Interactive Units on Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders-risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and an action plan for each area.

6. Why MHFA? Mental health problems are common.
Mental health problems can be successfully treated and people can get better (recovery!).
There is stigma associated with mental health problems.
Many people are not well informed about mental health problems and treatments.
Professional help is not always on hand.
People often do not know how to respond.

7. Why MHFA?
NAMI Score Card on Iowa - Handout

8. Why MHFA… U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year

9. Why MHFA…. Think about the individuals you serve…
“Disability” refers to the amount of disruption a health problem causes to a person’s ability to 
Work/School
Carry out daily activities
Engage in satisfying relationships
Disability Weights Exercise

10. Lets Try it!
Peter’s Story – MHFA in action!

11. Peter’s Story
To watch embeded video, view slide in presentation view.

12. Our Goal….
Imagine a community in which everyone had the skills to respond like Sarah…

13. Key Ingredients of MHFA
Combines the knowledge of the signs and symptoms of a mental health concern with the ability to help someone who experiences those signs and symptoms.
How well can you recognize signs/symptoms?
Shaky Man Handout

14. Have each person try to identify the signs

16. Recovery
“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, 2003

17. Margalea’s Story

18. Brief Bio Diagnosed with MI in 1972
Many suicide attempts and hospitalizations in locked wards
No hospitalizations in locked units for 17 year

19. What Recovery Looks Like
Spiral
A little up, a little down, but more up than down

20. My Life in Recovery Less defined by my illness
Accept myself and feel appreciated by others
Believe in a better future in a realistic way
Needs center around giving back

21. Find a course near you… Go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org
Click find a course near you
Click find an instructor near you

22. No courses/instructors available
Jill Kluesner, MA, CRC Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Community Circle of Care Child Health Specialty Clinics Phone (office): Phone (cell):

23. Mike Hoenig, MA Program Coordinator Center for Disabilities and Development Phone (office) Phone (cell)

24. Questions?