Mental Health First Aid Training Online

Mental health first aid Online training Overview:

Mental health first aid training is an evidence-based course that provides the knowledge and skills needed to recognize mental health challenges and provide help for individuals in distress. This 8-hour program is designed to give participants the tools they need to be better equipped to understand, identify, and respond appropriately within their own environment when someone is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

The objectives of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Online Training are:

• To increase understanding of mental health issues among adults across populations

• To enable adults to provide support for those who may be developing or experiencing a mental health issue

• To reduce stigma associated with mental illness by providing education on signs & symptoms, causes and treatments

• To improve mental health literacy and encourage early interventions, support seeking and help-seeking behaviors

• To emphasize the importance of self-care for individuals with mental health issues as well as for those who are supporting them.

This course will cover topics such as understanding the risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns, how to assess a situation, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what type of help has been shown by research to be effective, and strategies for helping in crisis situations.

The 8-hour course is divided into four 2-hour sessions. Each session will focus on different topics related to Mental Health First Aid. At the conclusion of this training participants should have an understanding of:

• Types of mental health challenges

• Signs, symptoms and risk factors

• Strategies for providing initial help

• How to assess the situation and connect a person to professional help

• Available evidence-based treatments

• Training on self-care for those supporting someone with mental health challenges.

At the end of this training participants will receive an accredited certificate of completion. They will also have access to additional resources such as tips and strategies from Mental Health First Aid USA. This online program is offered in partnership with Mental Health America (MHA) to provide convenient access to quality mental health first aid education. With MHFA Online Training, you can learn anytime, anywhere!

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Course Outline:

 

Session 1: Understanding Mental Health

• Overview of mental health, risk factors and warning signs

• Stigma associated with mental illness

• Describing different types of mental illnesses

Session 2: Assessing a Situation and Providing Help

• Assessing the signs & symptoms of distress

• How to provide initial help/supportive listening

• Strategies for helping in crisis situations

Session 3: Connecting People with Professional Help & Resources

• Different sources of professional help (psychotherapists, psychiatrists, helplines)

• Evidence-based treatments available

Session 4: Self-Care & Supporting Someone with Mental Health Challenges

• Strategies for self-care when supporting someone with mental health challenges

• Resources and tools to support people with mental illness

• Review and Recap of the Course Content

• Certificates of Completion

At the end of each session there will be a quiz that participants must pass in order to move on to the next session. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive an accredited certificate of completion. They will also have access to additional resources such as tips and strategies from Mental Health First Aid USA. This online program is offered in partnership with Mental Health America (MHA) to provide convenient access to quality mental health first aid education. With MHFA Online Training, you can learn anytime, anywhere!

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Testimonials:

★★★★★ “Mental Health First Aid has provided me with the necessary skills to better recognize when people are in distress and to be more confident in providing them help. I am now able to assess a situation quickly and act appropriately.” – Martin Yates | Mental Health First Aider

★★★★★ “I’ve taken the Mental Health First Aid course and feel that it’s an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about mental health issues. The course provides practical information on how to provide initial help, understand the signs and symptoms of mental illness, access professional help and resources, as well as strategies for self-care when supporting someone with mental health challenges.” – Sarah Paulson, Mental Health Advocate

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Recap:

Mental Health First Aid is an evidenced-based training program designed to help people recognize signs and symptoms of mental health issues, provide initial help, assess the situation and connect persons in distress to professional resources. The 8-hour course provides participants with knowledge on how to manage crisis situations, build resilience, increase awareness about mental health issues and promote recovery among individuals living with a mental illness. This comprehensive course covers topics such as types of mental illnesses, signs & symptoms of distress, available treatments, strategies for providing initial help and self-care tips.

Participants who take the Mental Health First Aid course will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize when someone is at risk for a mental health issue or in crisis, how to provide initial help and then link that person to professional resources. All participants who complete the course receive an accredited certificate of completion.

Ultimately, Mental Health First Aid USA is committed to helping individuals gain the skills and confidence needed to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness in themselves or others. Our courses provide the foundation for creating a more mentally healthy generation. Join us today in making a positive difference in the mental health of our communities!

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Glossary:

Mental Health First Aid – an evidence-based program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize when someone is in distress and link them to professional help

Crisis Situations – a situation that involves intense emotional distress or physical danger

Psychotherapists – mental health professionals who assist clients in improving their psychological wellbeing by using talking therapies

Psychiatrists – medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness

Helplines – 24/7 access lines providing counselling, crisis intervention, referrals and other services

Evidence-Based Treatments – treatments that are supported by scientific research

Self-Care – intentional practices of taking care of ones’ mental, physical and emotional selves.

Substance use – use of alcohol and drugs with the intention of altering one’s mental state.

Resilience – the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt effectively in challenging situations.

Mental health crisis – A mental health crisis refers to an event in which a person experiences intense emotional distress or physical danger as a result of mental illness. Such situations require immediate attention and intervention from professionals trained in managing crises. Crisis hotlines, walk-in centers and other professionals can provide support and assistance during a mental health crisis.