Mental Health First Aid
The root of most stigmas is generally fear. The stigma surrounding mental illnesses in America is no different: fear of not understanding the problem, fear of doing or saying the "wrong" thing, and fear of not knowing what to do when someone needs help.
Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis situation and builds mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.
History and Background:
Mental Health First Aid was created by Professor Tony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor, and Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education. The program is auspiced at the ORYGEN Research Center at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
The National Council chose to help bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. due to the strong evidence supporting the program. Four detailed studies have been completed in Australia and nearly a dozen journal articles published on Mental Health First Aid's impact on mental health literacy. One trial of 301 randomized participants found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. Unexpectedly, the study also found that Mental Health First Aid improved the mental health of the participants themselves. Findings from the other studies have echoed these outcomes.
To date, Mental Health First Aid has been replicated in England, Scotland, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Singapore. The Iowa Department of Human Services has entered into an agreement with The National Council and truly values the supporting evidence and strive to achieve fidelity to the original Mental Health First Aid program developed in Australia. In the next ten years, we hope that Mental Health First Aid will become as common as CPR and First Aid training. It has the potential to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy, and empower individuals - the benefits are limitless!
About the Program:
The goal of Mental Health First Aid is to increase mental health literacy. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step process to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions, and help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate care. Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction; engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness; and learn information about evidence-supported treatment programs.
Just as CPR training helps a non-medical professional assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps an individual who doesn't have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn a single strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying and contacting appropriate professional help. Trainees learn to apply this strategy in a variety of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, supporting a person experiencing psychosis and helping an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the Mental Health First Aid training is that trainees practice the intervention strategy rather than just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.
If you are interested in learning more about MHFA, would like to become certified or learn how your agency can participate in training, please contact:
Karen Hyatt
Iowa Department of Human Services
Mental Health and Disability Services Division
Hoover State Office Building
1305 East Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114
khyatt@dhs.state.ia.us
515.281.3128
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