The ALGEE Action Plan isn’t just a lifeline for people in need of mental health support — it’s also become a source of creativity and inspiration! As part of a fun and engaging initiative, we challenged our dedicated MHFA Instructors to bring ALGEE to life by submitting captions for a cartoon we shared. What followed was an outpouring of creative and thought-provoking entries that brought a fresh perspective to the simple yet powerful steps of the ALGEE model. We received hundreds of submissions. From quick quips to touching comments, their clever and inspiring captions brought ALGEE to life.

ALGEE says … Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructors are not just amazing community leaders, they’re also creative caption writers!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this contest! Here are a few entries that rose to the top.

English Translation: When the tide rises, relax and focus on what brings you peace! Remember that the tide will soon go out.

The MHFA Action Plan has five steps, which can be used in any order.

1. A — Approach, assess for risk of suicide or harm. Try to find a suitable time or place to start the conversation with the person, keeping their privacy and confidentiality in mind. If the person does not want to confide in you, encourage them to talk to someone they trust.
2. L — Listen non-judgmentally. Many people experiencing a challenge or distress want to be heard first, so let the person share without interrupting them. Try to have empathy for their situation. You can get the conversation started by saying something like, “I noticed that …” Try to be accepting, even if you don’t agree with what they are saying.
3. G — Give reassurance and information. After someone has shared their experiences and emotions with you, be ready to provide hope and useful facts.
4. E — Encourage appropriate professional help. The earlier someone gets help, the better their chances of recovery. So, it’s important to offer to help this person learn more about the options available to them.
5. E — Encourage self-help and other support strategies. This includes helping them identify their support network, programs within the community, and creating a personalized emotional and physical self-care plan.

Join the Fun!

Stay tuned for more updates and future contests by following MHFA on LinkedIn, Threads, X and Instagram for more inspiration and ways you can get involved. Whether you’re an MHFA First Aider, Instructor or simply someone who cares about making a difference, we’d love for you to join in the conversation.