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Utilizing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to Build Response Competency
Dr. Patrick Lukingbeal, University of Houston Dr. Kathy Collins, University of Rhode Island Monday, March 5, Marriott Downtown – Salon D
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Session Roadmap Learning Outcomes
State of Mental Health in Higher Education Overview of Mental Health First Aid Implementation: UH & URI Recommendations for Local Expansion
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Learning Outcomes Discuss the current state of mental illness on college campuses. Identity the major barriers to help-seeking on college campuses. Learn how to integrate the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training curriculum through two successful case studies. Analyze briefly the ALGEE response model within MHFA and how to utilize it.
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State of Mental Health Significant increase in number and complexity in the past few decades (NASPA, 2009). Statistics show the majority of mental illnesses develop before the age of 25 (Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010). Most common illnesses in college students are depression, anxiety and panic disorders (Keyes et al., 2012) Low rate (36%) of students who actually are diagnosed seek out or receive treatment (Healthy Minds, 2009).
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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. -Start by asking: how many of you have done a CPR class? Connect what is learned there to MHFA (you know signs, can provide basic response, but you are NOT a medical professional) -Discuss history (started in 2001 in Australia by Betty Kitchener (nurse) and her husband Anthony Norm (mental health literacy professor) -As of 2016, more than 550,00 people have been trained in the USA by 9,000 instructors. That year, First Lady Michelle Obama helped launch a campaign with the goal to get 1 million people in the US trained -Two main trainings youth and adult. The adult training has several modules that can be added onto of the general training (ex: higher education, veteran communities, rural communities, etc)
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Curriculum Overview: 8 hours
What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental Health Problems in the United States Mental Health First Aid Action Plan Understanding and Responding to: Depression and Anxiety (Suicidal Behavior, NSSI, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Anxiety) Psychosis (Acute Psychosis – Disruptive or Aggressive Behavior) Substance Use Disorders (Overdose – Withdrawal; Substance Use Disorders) Using your Mental Health First Aid Training -Sessions can be broken up into one day or two -Participants receive a supplemental manual -Curriculum is very interactive – mix of pair and share, group discussions, videos, activities, case study scenarios -The ALGEE action plan is repeated constantly -Quiz and certificate of completion at the end – good for two years
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Why would a college student not seek help?
-Question to the audience. -Common reasons: They think what they are feeling is “normal”, they may feel that stress is part of the college experience and everyone feels the same way, they may not know how to ask for help or be aware of campus resources, they may have financial or transportation barriers, or they may be worried about how it may impact their status as a student (ex: international, athletes, etc)
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Why Mental Health First Aid?
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Where Mental Health First Aid Can Help
Well Becoming Unwell Unwell Recovering Prevention Early Intervention Treatment Where Mental Health First Aid can help on the spectrum of mental health interventions -Continuum of care – we have campus/community professionals that are trained to work in treatment and recovery, but general campus community members can be aware of the signs of mental illness and basic response skills to assist someone in the “becoming unwell” or “unwell” stages.
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Who MHFA is Reaching 9.21% Higher Education 23.5% Other
30.06% General Community/Not Specified 6.78% Behavioral Health 9.21% Higher Education 10.43% Social Services 3.01% Primary Care 11.7% Law Enforcement/Public Safety 3.34% Faith Communities 1.97% Business/Corporations 23.5% Other -We need more people in higher education trained!
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Effectiveness Several studies have shown that MHFA:
Improves people’s mental health Increases understanding of mental health issues and treatments Connects more people with care Reduces stigma MHFA is listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. -Cite quan and qual studies from Council on Behavioral Health
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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.
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Implementation: UH Communication and coalition building (Fall 2015)
Instructor application and training (Spring-Summer 2016) Pilot Training with DSAES (Fall 2016) General sessions begin and inclusion of Counseling & Psychological Services and Cougars in Recovery (Spring 2017)
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Implementation: UH Since Fall 2017, 157 individuals trained.
Expansion to constituent groups (Colleges, Athletics) Post-evaluation data suggest majority of participants report: Increased understanding of mental health and their personal biases Increased ability to notice signs of concern Using the ALGEE action plan to respond within 1-2 months of training Confidence in referring to campus resources
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Implementation: URI Spring, 2017 offered train the trainers course at URI 13 staff members completed the training (11 remaining) 600 URI community members have completed training Required for Resident Assistants, Provost office staff, Athletics staff, etc
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Feedback URI participant feedback:
On a scale of 1-5, the average satisfaction results for the course is 4.51. People are overwhelmingly glad to have the training Biggest complaint (by far) is that the training is too long
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Moving forward Frustration with the curriculum includes:
Lack of information about Opioid epidemic, limited cultural sensitivity, lack of attention to specific college-population issues: Eating disorders, athletes, Greek Life, etc. Instructors at URI are in agreement that the most sustainable way to embed MHFA into a campus culture is a course (required for incoming students, elective for supper-years) as well as open trainings
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Recommendations for Local Expansion
Who will “own” the training and logistics? Costs and resources Who should do it (RAs, Advisors, faculty, etc) Long-term sustainability Institutional support
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Scenario Greg is a 21-year-old man who is in several classes with you. He’s a great guy and for any group project he’s someone you want in your group. He is generally quick with a smile and willing to help a classmate or friend. Over the past month you have noticed Greg rarely smiles or offers to help out. He always was a huge baseball fan, but he doesn’t seem to get into it this season. When you see Greg in class, he seems a bit rumpled and appears tired. You’ve heard from others that Greg was recently dumped by the love of his life. Greg has begun to make mistakes on important projects, including the one that you are working on together. Others have started talking about Greg’s mistakes and irritability and you are becoming increasingly concerned. Last time you talked with him, he shared more with you about his struggle over the breakup of his relationship. He keeps blaming himself and wondering why anyone would want to be with him. He said he is beginning to wonder if everyone would be better off without him. He is feeling hopeless about his future. -Using ALGEE (next slide) – how would we respond?
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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.
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Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference. See you in Los Angeles in 2019!
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