1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 11 16

17. U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year
Type of Mental Disorder
% Adults
Anxiety disorder
Major depressive disorder
Substance use disorder
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders
Schizophrenia
Any mental disorder 9 17

18. 72 18

19. 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

20. 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
(713)
Clarice Taylor MA, LPC
Mental Health Training Coordinator
Suzette Sova MA, LPC
Mental Health First Aid Coordinator
(713)

21. Additional Information
The National Council
Susan Partain
Outreach Associate
(202) ext. 232