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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

9. 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

10. A Taste of MHFA

11. 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.

12. Spectrum of Mental Health Interventions

13. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. The Pain of Depression A Journey Through the Darkness

25. 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.

26. 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

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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)

33. 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

34. 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

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

37. CONTACT INFORMATION
To schedule a MHFA training for your organization contact: or Jermine Alberty, Training Director Missouri Institute of Mental Health Or Rita McElhany, MHFA Coordinator MO Department of Mental Health

38. Questions?