Visualize this: a college student athlete lies on a soccer field with a broken leg. Of course, she gets immediate attention from her teammates, trainers and coaches. A specific protocol … Read more
Uncategorized
All aboard! Even in transit, a commuter train is on track to break down social stigma related to mental health. (“Themed train aims to get family and friends to help … Read more
This article originally appeared in Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation’s Born Brave Blog. “Thank you for being part of a community capacity-building program that empowers laypeople to show concern … Read more
I knew the birth of my children would change me as a person, but I had no idea it would completely turn my world upside down. It was terrifying and … Read more
Chad Farley picked up one last fare. A pretty normal night in the life of an Uber driver. But his GPS told him this fare’s destination was the top of … Read more
“You can’t always stop a bully, but you can reach out to someone being bullied so they don’t feel so alone.” —From Dianne Grossman’s Facebook page Mallory Grossman was a … Read more
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. –Neil Postman “The most vulnerable of the vulnerable” is what many have called children in foster … Read more
Many of us forget that we all possess one of the most effective tools to aid someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Listening. We hear a lot about active listening … Read more
“A Dickensian nightmare” is how the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania described the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ treatment of mentally ill inmates back in 2013. The advocacy nonprofit’s complaint stated … Read more
When you put on a first responder uniform, you’re expected to be ”brave, strong and courageous – giving help and not asking for help,” said Jeff Dill, a retired firefighter. … Read more
“It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.” That’s the mantra of David Yarborough, a full-time peer specialist working at Metrocare, a nonprofit serving people with mental … Read more
My workplace is understanding about mental health challenges. My recent viral Tweet showing my CEO’s amazing response to my request to take time off for my mental health is just … Read more
Sales of prescription opioids in the U.S. nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2014, with more than half prescribed to adults with mental health disorders. Adults living with depression, anxiety and … Read more
Rodolfo Silva was prepared to handle death – at least he thought he was. During his first year as a pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, … Read more
Did you know that the word “addict” cannot be found in the most recent edition of the standard AP Stylebook? That’s because earlier this month, the Associated Press took a … Read more
Talking to your teenager (or a teenager you know) about, well, anything, can be difficult. When it comes to sensitive issues like mental health, getting a conversation started can be … Read more
After months of what felt like a never-ending downward spiral, Adam Hill found himself deep in the woods, bottle of vodka in hand with the intent of killing himself. Hill … Read more
Valencia D. Clay was 28-years-old when she finally got care for her major depressive disorder. Before then, she didn’t have the vocabulary to understand, or even begin to process, what … Read more
A father’s plea echoes the desperation of many families across the United States as they watch their loved ones, who are living with addictions and behavioral health issues, mired in … Read more
“How are you?” No, “How are you, really?” For many of us, our fathers are symbols of unwavering strength. When times get tough, our dads are there to lift us … Read more
When Desmond Phillip was shot and killed by two Chico, Calif., police officers, the city’s police department was not prepared to appropriately handle the situation. It might have been yet … Read more
In a nationwide survey of more than 2,000 first responders, 85 percent reported mental health symptoms. One-third reported clinical diagnoses of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While these numbers … Read more
We all dream about retirement – finally doing all the things we’ve wanted to do but never had time. But the reality of life after work doesn’t always live up … Read more
Sadness is a normal part of the human emotional spectrum—we all experience it from time to time. When we lose a loved one, go through a breakup or watch one … Read more
It’s tough working in the service industry. Uncompromising employers, workplace harassment and poor communication all too often affect worker’s sense of well-being, especially those living with mental health problems. What’s … Read more
Arduous and challenging are the two words Nicola Louise uses to describe the teaching profession. But when she returned to the obstacles of this profession after having a child, she … Read more
Not weak, just human. This is the tagline and overarching sentiment of the Men’s Mental Health Social Interest Group that was recently formed at the Good Men Project. Recently, they … Read more
Faith-based groups across the nation are reacting to acts of violence and vandalism, like the recent defacing of a synagogue and shooting in a South Carolina church by partnering with … Read more
Even before the stress of college begins to set in, one in four students has a history of mental illness and treatment. That means 25 percent of college students have … Read more
The dangers of law enforcement extend far beyond the streets. In fact, police officers are far more likely to suffer multiple health complications than their general workforce counterparts. News 8 … Read more
The recent suicide of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez is only one of an upward trend in suicides of people in custody. Hernandez, who has been serving a life sentence … Read more
Female veterans are two to five times more likely to commit suicide than civilian women. NPR host David Green spoke with women dedicating their lives to curb this number. They … Read more
Juggling a heavy workload and large doses of stress day in and day out takes its toll on lawyers. They are prone to higher rates of addiction and mental health … Read more
So many people are out there wishing for something better, hoping that help will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is – it is help to get people connected to care and ultimately to get them to a better place.
We don’t provide our services in a vacuum. We don’t provide our services to buildings. We don’t provide our services to corporations. We provide our services to people. We are people who provide services to other people. It’s easy to forget this simple truth. But at the Clifton Fire Department, we’re reminded daily because of our Mental Health First Aid training.
As a psychology student at Brigham Young University, the Mental Health First Aid class seemed like a great opportunity for me to supplement my classwork with some real-world knowledge. So, I signed up and took the course. I never expected to put the things I learned to use so soon.
In July 2015, I had the opportunity to take a Mental Health First Aid course at WestCare Nevada. Little did I know that just a few days later I would be using the information and techniques I had learned in the class in a real life situation.
Hilda Marie’s worst nightmare was unfolding right before her eyes. Teetering at the edge of the platform was a woman poised to jump in front of an oncoming train. What would you do? For Hilda, there was no question. She turned to the skills she learned in the eight-hour Mental Health First Aid class she completed.
More than 440,000 First Aiders in the US
Trained by more than 8,000 Instructors
With Independence Day upon us, learn some ways you can help support those who have served our country, especially if they’re veterans with PTSD. 1. Put It in Context. Although … Read more
New curriculum specifically targets the mental health needs of the aging population WASHINGTON — This week the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health … Read more
New work with Active Minds, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America positions training program to reach key audiences WASHINGTON – Targeting Mental Health First Aid … Read more
More than 280,000 First Aiders in the US Trained by more than 5,900 Instructors State Total Participants % Population Instructors District of Columbia 2555 0.404% 75 Iowa 9498 0.309% 80 … Read more
This map outlines the total number of people trained in Mental Health First Aid, by state, through October 2014. Figures in parentheses represent the number of instructors. States are color … Read more
The map outlines the total number of people trained in Mental Health First Aid, by state, through December 2013. Figures in parentheses represent the number of instructors. States are color … Read more
I’ve taken regular first aid, and I’ve used both, but certainly the opportunities to use Mental Health First Aid are much more abundant.
This program is a top-notch service to communities like ours; we are so grateful for the opportunity to have this program in our area.
He was astonished how well the ALGEE Action Plan worked. He went through each letter and explained how he used it to help his daughter through a difficult time.
When a loved one has cancer, families rally around — they cook, clean, drive their loved ones to doctor’s appointments, and much more. But when someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental conditions, family members are not sure what to do.
