Many of us may be familiar with the phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20.” I know I am. I routinely wish I had known many of the things I know now when I was younger, especially regarding my mother’s life-long challenge with alcohol use. My experience with my mom is not the first of its kind. After … Read more
You know that feeling when everything is going great, and suddenly you realize you’re 10 minutes late for an appointment, someone is rude to you or you drop everything you’re carrying? You know how that irritation can send you spiraling? We all experience mood swings and everyday ups and downs, but that’s not the same … Read more
The moment many of us have been eagerly awaiting – the start of Spring — has finally arrived! Did you know that natural medicine traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine base their entire understanding of health on the distinctions between the seasons? Each season, according to these traditions, has its own set of rhythms … Read more
In honor of Women’s History Month, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is sharing expert insight from National Trainer Jen Cox on how women can help reduce stigma, build a culture of nonjudgmental listening and support community members that show signs of needing help.
More than 33 million U.S. workers have quit their jobs since Spring 2021, and this wave, dubbed the “Great Resignation,” has focused the attention of workers and employers on mental wellbeing at work. And for good reason! Research indicates that the American worker — employed or not — is feeling burned out, stressed and unappreciated, … Read more
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA … Read more
Many people go through periods where their moods are impacted by the changing of the seasons. Feeling ‘down’ in the winter is a common experience, as well as periods of anxiety when the days are shorter and the nights are longer. However, if you are noticing that your mood changes are significantly impacting how you … Read more
Somewhere around the time the New Year’s Eve parties ended, retail displays transformed from winter wonderlands to Cupid’s playgrounds. But whether you dread it or eagerly anticipate it, Valentine’s Day can also serve as a reminder that we can all use a bit of TLC (tender, loving care), regardless of our relationship status. Unrealistic depictions … Read more
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 52.9 million people, or 21% of adults ages 18 years or older, experience a mental health or substance use challenge each year. As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, those numbers are likely to be higher, with roughly three out of four adults reporting that … Read more
It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact on all of our lives. Keeping distance from family and friends, and quarantining when sick, are difficult and necessary actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can also make people feel isolated and lonely. The uncertainty, fear and misinformation … Read more
As 2021 comes to an end, you may be reflecting on the year that has passed and planning for the year to come. This past year was challenging for many, but we now have the opportunity to refocus and have a fresh start. A new year can provide us with hope and, more importantly, a … Read more
As you think about how to support loved ones this holiday season, make sure to give extra consideration to those in recovery from substance or alcohol challenges. This festive period can be especially stressful for those committed to maintaining their recovery from alcohol use. In a recent survey, 94% of respondents in recovery reported feeling … Read more
The holiday season is here. For some, that means cherishing time with family and friends, but for many, especially those who feel emotionally distant or isolated from others, it’s a time of year that leaves them particularly vulnerable to feelings of loneliness. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we interact with … Read more
Everyone faces stressors in life, especially in high school. Things like forgetting to do a school assignment, being late for work, having a messy room or an argument with a family member can build up and contribute to what’s going on in your body and your mind. You might start to put yourself down, take … Read more
We all feel stressed from time to time during the holiday season – there is pressure to attend social events, give gifts, travel and more that can take a toll on one’s mental health. In fact, a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association found that nearly a quarter of Americans report feeling extreme stress … Read more
The holiday season is most often associated with traditions that may include traveling, spending time with family or friends, and tempting feasts. While these traditions can elicit feelings of anticipation and joy, they can also provoke stress, anxiety and loneliness — especially for people who have mental health or substance use challenges, including eating disorders. … Read more
As conversations around mental health become more common, it is increasingly important that we consider the mental health of everyone – especially teens. Half of mental health challenges begin by age 14, so it’s crucial to start these conversations early so you can maintain an open dialogue as teenagers mature. Studies show that healthy friendships … Read more
Bullying is not an unfamiliar concept, especially for nearly 20 percent of students aged 12-18. According to the Mental Health First Aid curriculum, one in five American high school students reports being bullied at school each year. In addition, nearly 7 percent of high school students skipped school at least once in the past month … Read more
It’s impossible to avoid stress. Whether it’s impending deadlines for school or work, a packed to-do list or an argument with a loved one, everyone experiences stress from time to time. How you handle the stress is what makes a difference, and your response can impact the trajectory of the rest of your day and … Read more
Bipolar disorder has gained its share of notoriety, being featured in TV shows, movies and books; but in some cases, this complex condition has been broadly reduced to extreme changes in mood and behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that involves bouts of major depression and … Read more
With World Mental Health Day 2021 fast approaching on October 10, pause, breathe, and ask yourself: How am I doing? Be honest. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. Mental health and substance use challenges are not uncommon, insurmountable or something to be ashamed of. Did you know that even pre-pandemic, an estimated 264 million … Read more
While it can feel fulfilling to support your loved ones if they are experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, providing help can also take a toll on your own physical and mental wellbeing. It can be emotionally draining, bring up feelings of anxiety or sadness, or even make you physically tired. Mental Health … Read more
COVID-19 continues to take its toll on a global scale, affecting everything from jobs to schooling and to our mental wellbeing. With so much uncertainty as we near our third year of the pandemic, it’s unsurprising that our collective mental health has been worse than years prior. As the number of deaths due to the … Read more
Addiction is complicated, and recovery from it is a challenge that millions of people in the United States face every day. Although stigma and misinformation persist, millions of Americans are living in recovery – a daily challenge to choose long term health and wellbeing. Carrie K., a woman in long-term recovery, describes her journey, on … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll – especially on our youth. Emerging data suggests that depression and suicide concerns have increased among adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21. Even more alarming, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that suicide rates among children aged 5 to 11 … Read more
In my sophomore year at Bellows Free Academy High School (St. Albans, Vermont), I attended a small conference at nearby St. Michael’s College that focused on the mental wellbeing of student-athletes. I participated in different activities and listened to different speakers, but what stuck with me the most was the final presentation. This was a … Read more
Everyone has a “mental health toolkit” that helps them through good and bad times. It might contain self-care strategies, coping mechanisms for stressful days or people to turn to for support. As a Mental Health First Aider, your toolkit also includes tips and resources to help you support your peers, colleagues and loved ones who … Read more
Your children may be excited to return to school after a long summer – or even a year of online classes. However, the new school year can come with new challenges. As a caring adult, parent or guardian, it can be difficult to know how to support children with this stressful and overwhelming transition. In … Read more
It can be hard (or nearly impossible) for some of us to imagine not having our smartphone in our hands or within reach at all times. We rely on our phones for a multitude of things: staying in touch with loved ones, storing memories like photos and videos, online shopping and, of course, social media. … Read more
There is no doubt that the last year and half has been difficult, and the COVID-19 pandemic changed what many of us consider to be “normal.” That’s especially true for schools, which switched to virtual learning almost overnight — an adjustment that was harder for some than others. But now, with three vaccines available in … Read more
We have all been there before: a long day of work or school or just life where things pile up and nothing seems to be going the way you want it to. Cue the increased heart rate, scattered thoughts, irritability and negative feelings – some of the all-too-familiar symptoms of stress. Medline defines stress as, … Read more
We talk a lot about the benefits of self-care. It’s good for physical health and mental health, and it makes you feel good. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, and exactly how to take care of your mental health. Self-care, the healthy practices that reduce stress and maintain and enhance … Read more
Experiencing a mental health challenge can be stressful. Each day is different, and some of them may include overwhelming emotions and thoughts. But it’s important to remember that recovery from a mental health challenge is possible with the right tools and support systems in place. When you’re trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), you … Read more
As adults and teens across the country receive their COVID-19 vaccine, we’re all beginning to wonder what normal will look like. Regardless of whether you’re excited to pick up where you left off before the pandemic or you’re hesitant to return to the hustle and bustle of pre-COVID life, it’s important that you take your … Read more
If you or someone you know has experienced a mental health or substance use challenge, you know just how hard it can be. It’s important to keep in mind that recovery can happen with the right tools and support. What is recovery? The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum describes it as a process of … Read more
It’s easy to see why talking about our mental health may not be easy. Research shows that public stigma, or society’s negative attitudes and behaviors surrounding mental health, and self-stigma, the internalization of those attitudes, prevent many from reaching out and getting the support they need. Stigma can also lead to exclusion from jobs, housing, … Read more
I became a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor to address the mental health stigma that exists among Black men and to share what I learned with the faith-based community and to share with first responder. I have advocated for and compassionately responded to others for more than two decades. I’m grateful to share my … Read more
Mental health is a very important topic that needs to be talked about more often. Mental health challenges are more prevalent in our society now than ever before. In fact, research shows that almost one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness at any given time. While I have not faced challenges with my mental health, I want to be equipped to be an ally and friend to people around … Read more
En noviembre de 2011 obtuve mi certificación como rescatista en Primeros Auxilios para la Salud Mental. Me impresionó mucho todo lo que aprendí, por lo que asistí a otra capacitación en enero del año siguiente en el 2012, para entender el concepto mucho más. El día de la segunda capacitación, decidí que quería convertirme en … Read more
In November 2011, I became certified as a Mental Health First Aider. I was so impressed with what I learned, I attended another training the following January – I wanted to be sure I absorbed everything. On the day of the second training, I decided that that I would become a certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor and spend 50% of my time offering MHFA trainings, outside of work. A few years later, I earned my Instructor certification. … Read more
Our company began its journey providing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in 2018, after noticing an increase in employees seeking help from their managers and the company during personal crises. What started as a few isolated incidents morphed into a much broader need to support the number of cases the HR and Security teams … Read more
Mental health has always been a focus in my life, starting with my own struggles as an adolescent. As such, I was honored when my school district asked me, as a special education teacher and the district wellness coordinator, to become a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Instructor. I had always implemented tools I had gained from personal experience … Read more
In December 2020, I took a Youth Mental Health First Aid class. This training teaches parents, teachers and other adults how to support young people with mental health challenges, including how to use nonjudgmental listening skills and how to approach a young person and encourage them to seek treatment if needed. One of the first things we learned is the difference … Read more
Being a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor fits perfectly with where I’m at personally and professionally. Working in the largest psychiatric hospital in Texas – with a staff of more than 900 – I see how many people really, truly care about other people, but don’t know what else they can do on top of day-to-day patient care. Thanks to MHFA, we’re establishing a staff support system where we can keep an eye on each other and take care of the caregivers. But it’s not just … Read more
“I didn’t want to go to the [Mental Health First Aid] training, but I did. I never thought I would use any of the information or remember it, but I did shortly after the training. My friend had been struggling with depression. He called me and told me he was in a bad way and was sitting … Read more
Taking Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, being a First Aider, has changed me. I’ve been with Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health (SYBH) for 25 years. SYBH provides services to individuals and families who are experiencing serious or ongoing mental health and/or substance use disorders in Yuba and Sutter Counties, California. I coordinate all our MHFA and Youth MHFA training sessions – … Read more
How do you help someone who is struggling? How do you help them without making assumptions about what they are going through, and without making it worse? These are all questions that I learned the answers to during the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) class. tMHFA teaches that teens prefer to tell other teens about what they are going through. This is why it’s important for us to know what to do if confronted with … Read more
Brandon was an outgoing, fun-loving and enjoyable co-worker whose life ended abruptly after a night of heavy drinking. His death had a profound impact on our staff as we learned he had been living with a mental health challenge and substance use that had gone unrecognized. We serve within a total confinement facility that provides behavioral health services to individuals living with severe … Read more
As Executive Director of CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, I feel it is vital to continue to grow with our staff and volunteers, so I planned Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for our staff, volunteers and community for Spring 2020. Then COVID-19 changed everything and the training was put on hold. But that wasn’t the end of it. While in–person training was no … Read more
