Mental Health First Aid

Overview

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a groundbreaking public education program that  helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid USA is managed, operated, and disseminated by three national authorities — the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. To read more about Mental Health First Aid, please visit: http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

MHFA is a 12-hour instructional course. Upon completion of the course, participants will be Mental Health First Aid Certificated. A 1-hour lunch is provided, as well as two 15-minute breaks. Training runs from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM both days. All instruction hours must be attended to become MHFA Certificated. A course outline is provided below.

In our area, the training is supported by the Tulare County's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) - Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Plan - Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Program.  It is also supported by Kings County Behavioral Health's MHSA - PEI Plan. A fee is not being charged at this time for participation.

 

To Participate

Select one of the dates listed below and click on the link. Please complete the registration form for that session. You will not receive an automatic email after registering. Registrations are reviewed periodically, and each registrant will receive a confirmation email once the registrations are reviewed.

 

Upcoming Sessions and Registration

 

Note: Click on a date to go to that session's information and registration page.

2013

March 01 & 08 (New) at Milan Institute     March 28 & 29 (New) in Hanford

 

Closed Sessions
April 25 & 26 (Closed, capacity reached)    June 10 & 11 (Closed, Capacity reached)

 

Completed Sessions
2012: October 22 & 23, December 6 & 7

2013: February 6 & 7

 

Course Outline (12-hour course agenda):

SESSION 1

Part 1

  • What is Mental Health First Aid?
  • Mental Health Problems in the USA
  • The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

Part 2

  • Understanding Depression
  • Crisis First Aid for Suicidal Behavior & Depressive symptoms

 

SESSION 2

Part 1

  • What is Non-Suicidal Self-Injury?
  • Understanding Anxiety Disorders
  • Crisis First Aid for Panic Attacks

Part 2

  • Crisis First Aid for Traumatic events
  • Crisis First Aid for Acute Stress Reaction

 

SESSION 3

Part 1

  • Understanding Psychotic Disorders
  • Crisis First Aid for Acute Psychosis, Aggressive Behavior, and Psychotic Symptoms

Part 2

  • Understanding Substance Use Disorder
  • Crisis First Aid for Overdose
  • Crisis First Aid for Withdrawal

 

SESSION 4

Part 1

  • Understanding Eating Disorders
  • Crisis First Aid for Eating Disorders

Part 2

  • Using Mental Health First Aid

 

Questions

Please call Noah Whitaker at (559) 624-7471 or send an email by Clicking Here.