1. Youth Mental Health First Aid Overview
Jill Hill, CRPS-F
Project AWARE Program Coordinator
Mental Health America of Northeast Florida
Introduce yourself as speaker – name, title, organization, background
Why are you speaking about Mental Health First Aid today?

2. Mental Health First Aid
Originated in Australia and currently in 23 countries
Adult course for individuals 18 years of age and older; available in both Spanish and English
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach caring adults how to help an adolescent (age ) who is experiencing a mental health, an addictions challenge or is in crisis; available in both Spanish and English.
Mental Health First Aid Included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
MHFA USA is managed Nationally through a partnership between National Council for Behavioral Health as well as Maryland and Missouri State Governments

3. WHO CREATED THE COURSE?
Mental Health First Aid USA is coordinated by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
Mental Health First Aid USA worked with experts at the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to develop the youth program.

4. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA
It is a 8 hour public education program, three year certification
Introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents
Builds understanding of the importance of early intervention
Teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.
Uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis
How to select interventions and provide initial help
Connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

5. What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is the initial help offered to a person developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
Help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis
Like CPR, Given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves
Not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or other professional treatment
Mental Health First Aid® does not teach people to
diagnose or to provide treatment.

6. Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Learn what is a Mental Health Disorder?
Mental health problems are common, 1 in 5
Mental health problems often develop during adolescence, One-half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, three-quarters by age 24
Youth with Severe Major Depressive Episode in Florida 95,000 (1,801,000 in the United States)
Youth with At Least One Past Year Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in Florida 146,000 (2,739,000 in the United States)
Students Identified with Emotional Disturbance for an Individualized Education Program in Florida 17,260 (345,936 in the United States)
Youth with Severe MDE who Received Some Consistent Treatment in Florida 13,000 (322,000 in the United States)
Youth with Dependence or Abuse of Illicit Drugs or Alcohol in Florida 80,000 (1,276,000 in the United States)

7. Why Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Professional help is not always on hand 
The sooner an individual gets help, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome, 90% of Mental Health Disorders are treatable
Youth may not be well informed
Misunderstanding and discrimination are often associated with mental health problems
Are mental illnesses incurable and lifelong? No. When treated appropriately and early, many people recover fully and have no further episodes of illness. For others, mental illness may recur throughout their lives and require ongoing treatment.
Can anyone develop a mental illness? Yes. In fact, as many as one in five may develop a mental illness at some stage in their lives.
Are people with mental illness usually dangerous? No.
Is stigma one of the biggest problems for people with mental illness? Yes. One of the biggest obstacles for people recovering from mental illness is the negative attitudes of other people, people with mental illness face isolation and discrimination

8. What Participants Learn
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid®?
Risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems
Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use
A 5-step action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or in crisis
How to help a Youth in Non-Crisis Situations and Crisis Situations
How to help a Youth that may be suicidal
Available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources
Learned through an 8-hour training
The course teaches:
Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use.
A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.
Information presented in an interactive classroom environment. Participants have the opportunity to test out the action plan through scenarios, discussions, and other activities.
The standard adult course is available in English and Spanish.
Youth mental health first aid is a separate 8-hour course that specifically teaches participants how to help a youth who may be developing a mental health concern or in crisis.

9. Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
Assess for risk of suicide or harm Listen nonjudgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage appropriate professional help Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Briefly describe each action step – what the step entails, give an example.
Note that the plan is not necessarily done in order
Mention that this mnemonic is also the name of the mental health first aid mascot, Algee the koala.

10. Where Mental Health First Aid Can Help, the importance of early intervention
Well
Becoming Unwell
Unwell
Recovering
Prevention
Early Intervention
Treatment
Where Mental Health First Aid can help on the spectrum of mental health interventions
Studies have revealed the importance of Early intervention, more info visit

11. Treatment Options Psychotherapy Medication Case Management
Hospitalization
Support Group
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Self Help Plan
Peer Support
Others

12. 4 Reasons to Become a Mental Health First Aider

13. Why Should I take Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and any caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), suicide and eating disorders.
Mental Health First Aid instructors are the backbone of the Mental Health First Aid movement. They work to bring their communities together in support of one another. They’re changing the conversation about mental health and substance use on a local and national level through education and advocacy, and they are leading

14. Why Mental Health First Aid?
1 in 5 Americans suffer from Mental Illness Each Year according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

15. Mental Health First Aiders Are…
Teachers, supervisors, first responders, caretakers, co-workers, journalists, parents, friends and siblings. They’re even First Ladies…
Mental Health First Aiders are teachers, first responders and veterans. They’re neighbors, parents, coworkers and friends. They’re people in recovery, and those supporting a family member. They’re First Ladies and Mayors. Mental Health First Aiders are anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.

16. Be 1 in a Million
Campaign launched by the National Council in January 2016 in an effort to train 1 million people in Mental Health First Aid
Since the launch in January, more than 50,000 new First Aiders have been trained. [as of April 2016]

17. Who We’re Reaching
[This graphic will need to be updated semi-regularly – check for the updated ALGEE-ometer at

18. Who We’re Reaching 30,000 Courses (through September 2015) 9.7% Other
1.2% Business/Corporations
11% Schools
3.0% Faith Communities
9.3% Law Enforcement/Public Safety
2.6% Primary Care
10.7% Social Services
6.4% Higher Education
7.0% Behavioral Health
The course is appropriate for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn more about mental illnesses.
The majority of courses are taught to a general community audience, which includes participants from across the community.
Specific audiences include…
38.7% General Community/Not Specified
30,000 Courses (through September 2015)

19. What People Are Saying About Mental Health First Aid…
@MHFirstAidUSA

20. Mental Health First Aid Works
“In July 2015, I took a Mental Health First Aid course at WestCare Nevada.  Little did I know that just a few days later I would be using the information and techniques I had learned in the class in a real life situation.”
-Rick Denton, Peer Support Specialist
“I’ve taken regular first aid, and I’ve used both, but certainly the opportunities to use Mental Health First Aid are much more abundant.
- Nathan Krause, Pastor
“On a daily basis, we’re presented with people dealing with mental illness. Every day, this training will be beneficial.”
- Sgt. Steven Parkinson, Police Officer
Aside from the fact that Mental Health First Aid is included on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, we know that Mental Health First Aid works because we hear from people every day who have used the skills they learned to help a person in need.

21. Why Should I Train My Employees?
1 in 5 American adults experiences a mental illness each year. It is likely that employees and colleagues will interact with someone experiencing a mental health concern at work
Employers face an estimated $80 to $100 billion in indirect costs annually due to mental illness and substance use – including lost productivity and absenteeism
10.8 million full time workers have a substance use disorder
The training helps employees from all levels to identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses

22. Government Support

23. Evidence Mental Health First Aid….
…Increases knowledge and understanding
…Encourages people helping people
…Supports people getting help
…Decreases social distance
…Increases mental wellness
Brief Background: program developed in Australia in Adapted for and managed in the US by National Council for Behavioral Health, Maryland Department of Mental Hygiene, and Missouri Department of Mental Health.
Mental Health First Aid is listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence Based programs and Practices
Published, peer reviewed studies about the course show that people who get trained in mental health first aid increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions; can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction; increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress; and even exhibit increased mental wellness themselves. Studies also show that the program reduces the social distance created by negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses.

24. Mental Health First Aid in the News
March 22, 2016 | NJ.com 500k – and counting – have had mental health ‘first aid’ training February 12, 2016 | The Atlantic A First-Aid Class for Mental Health January 22, 2016 | The Philadelphia Inquirer A first-aid program – to prevent suicide January 6, 2016 | The Huffington Post Why Do We Fear Mental Illness? January 4, 2016 | The Washington Post Trying to make mental health first aid as familiar as CPR November 25, 2015| Al Jazeera America NYC to adopt ‘first aid’ program for mental health
NEWS QUOTE RESOURCES
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25. The Value of Mental Health First Aid
MHA is offering it at no cost!!

26. Take a Course.
Find or Host a Course

27. Take a Course. You could be the help someone needs.
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