On the East Coast, the place where firefighters reside is called a firehouse. On the West Coast, it’s called a fire station. Misusing the terms — which may seem insignificant — can cause a shift in credibility when it comes to talking with fire and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, said Angela Leath, a Mental … Read more
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Trident Seafoods is the largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting company in North America. Trident Seafoods is headquartered in Seattle, WA, with global operations in six countries and approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. One of the company’s core values is “we care for each other,” and a key part of living … Read more
Taking charge of your mental health doesn’t have to mean drastic lifestyle changes. In fact, the smaller the shift, the more likely it is you’ll do it. Big, lofty goals are often unrealistic and quickly fizzle out. For example, you wouldn’t start training for a marathon by running 26.2 miles every day; you would start … Read more
I always thought I knew the best way to have a conversation with people. I have three kids, so I thought I knew how to communicate well. But in 2017, after a colleague and I attended a Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) training. We looked at each other halfway through the training and … Read more
I started my mental health journey when I was hired at a Centerstone of Illinois clinic as a residential support specialist in a group home setting. This felt like the perfect opportunity for me — I’d always been interested in helping people. Little did I know that years later I would be the one who … Read more
I work at an alternative school for middle and high school students. To say my training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is helpful would be an understatement. It’s so useful, in fact, that I’ve taken the training twice — I liked it so much the first time, I wanted to make sure I … Read more
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2023) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Los Angeles, California, on April 30, 2023, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Rare Beauty, California State University, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, Yulanda Prude, … Read more
Caring for aging parents while raising a family can be challenging. As their child, you feel pressure to care for aging parents, and as a parent, you feel the obligation to tend to your family. As a caregiver, you may feel like you’re being squeezed on both ends, like an uncomfortable sandwich. “Sandwich generation” refers … Read more
One more email. One more text. One more date on the calendar. It’s shocking how one more can quickly become 20 more things to do. Soon, it seems you can’t get ahead or catch your breath. While work and personal life will inevitably throw some stressful situations your way, adding healthy boundaries into your daily … Read more
How teenagers manage and use social media is a complicated topic. Sure, social media can be a valuable tool and resource. Many times, it’s where teenagers express themselves, develop their identities and connect with others. But it can also be the source of depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation and other mental health challenges. Major concerns are … Read more
Having a serious conversation about mental health with a young person can be challenging, to say the least. How do you start the conversation? What should you bring up? How much is too much information? Should it even be discussed? The Mental Health First Aid curricula says national studies estimate that 22.2 percent of youth … Read more
When Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) joined forces with kate spade new york for a second time, hope took center stage. The latest campaign with the MHFA Impact Network partner began when the fashion brand saw the profound mental health impact COVID-19 had on the arts and entertainment industry. When Broadway closed for a year … Read more
As rates of burnout and mental exhaustion hit record levels, improving mental wellbeing in the workplace is a major focus for employers this year. As an employer, this may not be surprising to hear. While employees are more productive now than ever before, many also have intense feelings of loneliness, depression, seasonal depression, anxiety and … Read more
Conversations around weight, food and physical appearance can be complicated and sensitive. This can make it challenging to talk to someone who you think may have an eating disorder. While your intentions are good, these kinds of conversations can make the person feel defensive and perhaps even ashamed. With 28.8 million people in the United … Read more
It’s one thing to hear or read online about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and feel a small flicker of inspiration inside you as an Instructor or Coordinator. It’s a whole other thing to attend a national conference in person and connect with hundreds of other people, including experts and speakers. That really gets the … Read more
Media Contact Sophia Majlessi Media@TheNationalCouncil.org 202-621-1631 Board members indicate strong support for resources that help teens identify and respond to mental health or substance use challenges, regardless of political orientation Washington, D.C. (Jan. 25, 2023) – School board members nationwide consider student mental health the most pressing issue facing schools and students today, according to … Read more
No matter who you are or what your background is, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t appreciate a fresh start. A reset. A clean slate. And even though the new year is a great time to set resolutions that support your mental wellbeing, it can also be challenging to follow through. External triggers, … Read more
The onset of the holiday season conjures up images of families gathered together, big meals, cozy fires and lots of celebration. But for many people, especially individuals experiencing or in recovery from substance use challenges, the holidays can be tough. The holiday season can be full of triggers — end-of-year deadlines, shopping for gifts and … Read more
As the seasons shift and daylight hours decrease, many people find their mood and energy levels affected. You may notice that it’s still dark outside when you start your workday, and maybe also when you leave in the evening. When the days are shorter and the nights are longer, feeling less motivated or even just … Read more
As Mental Health First Aiders, knowing how and when to support someone who is experiencing a distressing situation is vital, but can also be difficult to navigate in the moment. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Action Plan (ALGEE) is a step-by-step approach to deliver safe and effective support to those in need, taking into … Read more
November is National Gratitude month, and the beginning of the season when many people may begin to think about what they are grateful for in their life. While it is nice to count your blessings during the holidays, practicing gratitude for the big and small things in your life can benefit your life all year … Read more
When someone we love dies, experiencing feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, regret, guilt and sometimes even relief, is common and natural. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum adds that bereavement grief, which occurs with the death of a loved one, can have some of the same symptoms as major depression, like intense sadness and … Read more
This Veterans Day, it is important to remember that not every service member experiences Veterans Day in the same way. In fact, some prior service members may not consider themselves veterans at all. This is especially common for service members who have not had combat experience or may not have seen “action” when serving in … Read more
November can be a time for s’mores, warm hoodies and crisp air. For me, it’s also a time to reflect, educate, recognize and honor the more than 53 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. These individuals passionately support family (89% of those caring for adults are taking care of a relative), friends and community members. … Read more
What we say and do in response to the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge can have a tremendous impact on the perceptions, actions and outcomes of all involved. That’s really true for public safety officers! Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) focuses on identifying and responding to the early signs … Read more
With World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, it’s more than fitting to ponder how compassion shows up in the world around us and what it looks like when it does. Where do we witness compassion on a regular basis? I find the notion of compassion most compelling when doing everyday things: when I’m waiting … Read more
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 65% of employees say they are rethinking the place that work should have in their lives, and 56% say they want to contribute more to society. Additionally, 31% of the 4.3 million Americans who quit their jobs in January 2022 did so to start a new business, shining a spotlight … Read more
As a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainer who is on the road and in virtual training spaces regularly, I am one who talks about the importance of centering wellbeing and self-care often. Like many in my courses, work and the stresses of life often disrupt my ability to be consistent. Truthfully, I don’t want … Read more
September marks National Recovery Month, an annual observance to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery possible in all its forms. Recovery is a personal journey of hope, empowerment … Read more
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is more than a vital awareness and education training. It’s also a great avenue for professional development. Employees who pursue professional development in their careers reap benefits like higher job satisfaction and productivity — in addition to knowledge that can serve you throughout your career and your life. With MHFA, … Read more
In June, two Ohio State University students died after taking what they believed to be Adderall, a prescription stimulant that is frequently misused by college students, but was actually the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The students were not alone. Accidental fentanyl overdoses occur far beyond campus walls, impacting thousands of individuals, families and communities across the … Read more
If you or someone you know is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, contact someone immediately! • If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 911. • Contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988, call 800-273-8255 (TALK) or visit 988Lifeline.org According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide … Read more
Taking time off from work has immense benefits for both our physical and mental wellbeing. According to the American Psychological Association, extended time off can increase life satisfaction, improve mental wellbeing, reduce heart disease risks and reduce anxiety and depression. But we don’t take time off! On average, 55% of Americans do not use all … Read more
Life can be challenging at times. Everyone experiences feelings like anxiety, sadness and stress now and then. While these feelings are common, it’s important to recognize when they may be interfering with your daily life. If you feel overwhelmed by emotions or experiences, know that you are not alone. Nearly 1 in 5 adults in … Read more
We’re bombarded with messages about our physical health. Commercials hawk the latest diet programs or supplements; magazines boast the best workout routines; and subway ads remind you to see your doctor for a physical. These messages usually ignore a very important aspect of our overall health – our mental wellbeing. The National Council for Mental … Read more
In June, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing announced a new partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo serves nearly 40,000 elected officials and 3.6 million employees in America’s counties, and through the partnership, we’ll offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings to those individuals. The National Council-NACo partnership will support elected officials … Read more
Trauma and PTSD: What Are They and How Can I Help? *If you feel you or someone you know is in danger, call 911, a local mental health crisis hotline or one of the following national crisis resources for immediate assistance: • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK) • Crisis Text Line: Text “MHFA” … Read more
After what feels like an eternity of stay-at-home orders and roped off public spaces, a somewhat “normal” summer is a welcome treat. Longer and warmer days, a more flexible work schedule (or even summer break) and an abundance of social activities make this season a favorite for many. However, feelings of anxiety due to rising … Read more
It’s no secret that there is an unprecedented mental health crisis in the U.S. However, there is something we can do it about it. We know from the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum that the sooner a person experiencing a mental health challenge receives support, the more likely they are to recover. But, according … Read more
*If your child does or says anything that indicates they have a desire to hurt themselves or others, take them seriously. If you feel your child is in danger, call 911, a local mental health crisis hotline or one of the following national crisis resources for immediate assistance: •National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) •Crisis … Read more
Tobacco use has often been portrayed as harmless, something the “cool” kids do, especially in popular TV shows aimed at teens, like “Skins” and “Euphoria.” But in reality, commercial* tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the U.S. Considering that nearly 90% of adults who smoke daily started … Read more
Throughout my Army career, I carried a piece of paper folded in the breast pocket of my uniform with a list of the names of the 35 soldiers killed in my brigade during my first deployment to Iraq. I carried it as a reminder of the sacrifice that these men and women made for our … Read more
Deputy sheriff. Army veteran. Crisis intervention specialist. Hostage negotiator. These titles paint a picture of the multitude of trainings I’ve taken and certifications I’ve earned throughout my career, but I am first and foremost a Mental Health First Aider. I have retired after 23 years in law enforcement and taken on the primary role of … Read more
Our youth need our help. A new CDC survey shows significant increases in high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, considering suicide or attempting suicide over the past decade – trends that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began, more than two out of five students (44%) reported … Read more
As a grits-powered mental health programming developer, facilitator and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, food is more than a source of sustenance for me. It’s an ice-breaker and a way to get friends, attendees and strangers to talk about feelings. Through food, you can tap into your creativity and build culinary confidence. You can … Read more
For millennia, people living with mental health and substance use challenges were imprisoned, tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment. Our society has come a long way since then, however the stigmatization of these challenges is still a significant problem. Even subtle instances of stigma can do harm – think about how often television shows depict … Read more
