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Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a groundbreaking education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.  The 8-hour training course is designed to provide members of the public important skills to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

Mental Health First Aid training helps an individual assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis and is often compared to CPR training that helps a layperson without medical training assist an individual following a heart attack.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE?Specific audiences for each training vary, but include key professions such as law enforcement, corrections staff and other first responders, primary care and hospital professionals, nursing home staff, and collegiate administration and educators. Other participating entities include faith communities, employers, business leaders and chambers of commerce, state policymakers, mental health organizations and advocacy groups, shelter volunteers, families, and the general public.WHAT IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?Youth Mental Health First Aid is a public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and most importantly – teaches individuals how to help a youth in crisis or experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

The course is designed for adults whom regularly interact with adolescents, but may also be appropriate for older adolescents (16 and older) so as to encourage youth peer to peer interaction. Anyone who regularly works or interacts with youth – teachers, athletic coaches, mentors, juvenile justice professionals – may find the course content useful. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course may also be offered to a variety of audiences including school administrators/ staff, faith communities and youth groups, human services agencies, recreation groups/clubs, group home staff, primary care and hospital professionals, and the general public.

TRAINING/CONSULTATIONThe NC EBP Center offers both the 8-hour Adult and 8-hour Youth versions of the Mental Health First Aid course for you individually or for your organization.  Additional designations can also be requested such as Rural, Higher Education (community colleges, colleges, and universities), Public Safety, and Veterans).  We provide both public trainings and contracted trainings to meet your needs.  We also provide consultation and implementation of the Mental Health Literacy and develop curriculum for individuals, agencies, and systems both in and out of state.   – The Breathe Easy Live Well (BELW) curriculum in a two-day 10 hour training format.  We can provide both public trainings and contracted trainings to meet your needs