You may not be a doctor, but if you've taken a first aid/CPR course, you could save a life.
If someone was choking – you'd have the knowledge and skills to perform the Heimlich maneuver while waiting for professional help.
But what if someone was having a panic attack – would you know how to jump in and help? Not likely. First aid training covers physical ailments, not behavioral.
That's where Mental Health First Aid Training comes in. Never heard of it? Here's some background, and details on how you can get involved.
Where it began
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was created in 2001 by Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education, and Anthony Jorm, a mental health literacy professor in Australia. It is considered an evidence-based education program.
"There was 911 and CPR for medical emergencies, but what was there for mental health and substance use?" Sharon Unterreiner, Director of Behavioral Health and Special Programs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) questioned. "The couple, Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm, crafted Mental Health First Aid and it came to the United States in 2008."
What it does
MHFA gives you the tools to assist and give initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use concern or crisis.
"It teaches people how to respond to somebody who might be exhibiting symptoms or might be in some sort of crisis. We're not all clinicians, but I'm trained in CPR and could do something until the professionals got there in a physical crisis," Unterreiner stated. "In a similar way, Mental Health First Aid gives you the tools to help until a professional becomes involved. MHFA also teaches people the frequency and prevalence of mental health and substance use needs which can reduce the stigma sometimes attached to these conditions."
The training is about 8 hours long and loaded with helpful, potentially life-saving information. When you encounter an individual in crisis, there's an action plan acronym to follow: ALGEE
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Get trained
Mental Health First Aid provides training in English and Spanish for adults, youth, teens, first responders, employees, veterans, older adults, and many other groups. If you're interested in taking a course, you can find one at mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
BCBSAZ offers training to Arizona businesses and their employees. To date, BCBSAZ has trained participants from approximately 50 Arizona employers.
"At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, we've trained nearly 800 of our own employees to use these skills both personally as well as professionally," Unterreiner said. "I feel so proud to work for an organization that supports this kind of training."
Sharon Unterreiner has been a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor since 2013.