Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an eviden ce-based early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a pers on to appropriate professional support and services. When you use the skill s you learn in MHFA, you are are the first line of support for a person in need. You are there to help them feel less distressed, and you can be a vit al source in helping them to seek further assistance. Your body language, w hat you say, and how well you listen can have a powerful impact. The qualit y and type of support you offer through listening can enhance coping and se lf esteem. With an accurate view of mental health challenges and using a st rengths-based holistic perspective, you can help others to help themselves. You can also be an advocate, empower your community, and improve self-care . As a Mental Health First Aider, you can be the one to make a difference i n the life of someone with a mental health challenge. Your actions can be a first step in someone's recovery journey.

The Virtual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors an d appearance that show there might be a mental health challenge. Participan ts are taught an Action Plan that they apply to non-crisis and crisis situa tions. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of Mental Health Fir st Aid and the role of the Mental Health First Aider.

• Identify the impact of mental health challenges on the well-being of adults in the U.S.

• Explain that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible.< /span>

• Describe the principles of sa fety and privacy for both the Mental Health First Aider and the person rece iving first aid.

• Explain the 5 steps of the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE).

~~• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental h ealth challenges that may impact adults.~~

~~• Evaluate the impact of early intervention on mental health chal lenges.~~

• Apply the appropriate steps of the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) when a person sho ws early signs of a mental health challenge; worsening signs of a mental he alth challenge; and to crisis situations.

~~• Chose appropriate methods for self-care following the applicat ion of Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.< /p>~~

~~What to Expect:~~

The virtual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Adults takes approximately 8.5 hours to complete, including 2 ho urs of self-paced pre-work and a 6.5 hour instructor-led virtual class via zoom. Once registered, participants will receive a customized link to the M ental Health First Aid Learning Management System (LMS), which will enable access to all required pre-work, the Mental Health First Aid manual, and th e Participant Processing Guide needed for the instructor-led portion.

Please note: Attendees are required to complete 2 hours of self-paced pre-work at lea st 48 hours in advance of the class date, or they will not be eligible to t ake the instructor-led portion of the course. Please note that while this c ourse is currently being offered without cost, class capacity is limited to 10. All registered attendees are expected to complete pre-work on time and attend the instructor-led portion for the entire duration in order to rece ive MHFA certification.

*This p rogram is open to Care Compass Network partners located in our 9-county reg ion (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tiog a, and Tompkins).

~~Register Here~~