Mental Health First Aid USA is coordinated by the

National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and

the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Tory Bright, DirectorTricia Malott, Marketing Coordinator

SE Regional MH Services Coordination Office

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Mental Health First Aid is the initial help offered to a

person developing a mental health problem or experiencing

a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate

treatment and support are received or until the crisis

resolves.

What Participants Learn

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Risk factors and warning signs of mental health and

substance use problems

Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and

substance use

A 5-step action plan to help someone who is developing a

mental health problem or in crisis

Available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help

resources

Mental Health First AidAction Plan

Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help and other support strategies

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Why Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health problems are common

Stigma is associated with mental health problems

Professional help is not always on hand

Individuals with mental health problems often do

not seek help

Many people…

> Are not well informed about mental health problems

> Do not know how to respond

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4 Reasons to Become a Mental Health First Aider

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Mental Health First Aid

Originated in Australia and currently in 26 countries

Adult course for individuals 18 years of age and older; available in both Spanish and English

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach caring adults how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health, an addictions challenge or is in crisis; available in both Spanish and English.

Mental Health First Aid Included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices

Partnership with Maryland and Missouri State Governments

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Mental Health First Aid Curricula and Modules

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Where Mental Health First Aid Can Help

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Well Becoming Unwell Unwell Recovering

Prevention

Early

Intervention

Treatment

Where Mental Health First Aid can help on the spectrum of mental health interventions

Who We’re Reaching

Audiences

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38.7% General Community/Not Specified

30,000 Courses (through September 2015)

7.0% Behavioral Health

6.4% Higher Education

10.7% Social Services

2.6% Primary Care

9.3% Law Enforcement/Public Safety

3.0% Faith Communities

11% Schools

1.2% Business/Corporations

9.7% Other

Who We’re Reaching

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There are currently Mental Health First Aiders in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Adult Curriculum Overview

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health Problems in the United States

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

Understanding Depression and Anxiety

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety

> Suicidal Behavior - Depressive Symptoms

> Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

> Panic Attacks

> Traumatic Events

> Anxiety Symptoms

Understanding Psychosis

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

> Acute Psychosis - Disruptive or Aggressive Behavior

Understanding Substance Use Disorders

Mental Health First Aid Action Plan

> Overdose - Withdrawal

> Substance Use Disorders

Using your Mental Health First Aid Training

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Youth Mental Health First Aid

Introduces participants to the unique

risk factors and warning signs of

mental health problems in

adolescents

Builds understanding of the

importance of early intervention

Teaches individuals how to help an

adolescent in crisis or experiencing a

mental health challenge

The course is designed for adults

who regularly interact with

adolescents (teachers, school staff,

coaches, youth group leaders,

parents, etc.)

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YOUTH Curriculum Overview

What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?

How to help a youth or teen who is experiencing a

mental health or substance use challenge or is in crisis.

Reviews typical adolescent development, and provides guidance through the ALGEE action plan for both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Reviews anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

The National Council seeks to make Youth Mental Health First Aid available in every one of 4,197 colleges and 13,809 school districts in the U.S.

U.S. Youth with a Mental Disorder

during Adolescence (Age 13-18)

Prevalence (%)With severe

impact (%)

Anxiety disorders 31.9 8.3

Behavior disorders 19.1 9.6

Mood disorders 14.3 11.2

Substance use disorders 11.4 11.4

Overall prevalence (with severe

impact)22.2

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Median Age of Onset

One-half of all lifetime cases of mental illness

begin by age 14, three-quarters by age 24

> Anxiety Disorders – Age 11

> Eating Disorders – Age 15

> Substance Use Disorders – Age 20

> Schizophrenia – Age 23

> Bipolar – Age 25

> Depression – Age 32

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Montgomery County

PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) is conducted every 2

years across the Commonwealth. 6th, 8th 10th and 12

graders participate in this survey.

22 Montgomery County School Districts participated in

the survey in 2015, including Pottstown, Pottsgrove,

Upper Perkiomen, Perkiomen Valley, SpringFord, and

Pope John Paul II High School.

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Montgomery County Data from PAYS Report: Early initiation and higher prevalence drugs - Lifetime use

Alcohol use: 42.1%

Marijuana use: 17.3%

Inhalants use: 3.5%

Prescription drugs or other use: .3% - 1.9%

Illegal opiates, cocaine, stimulants, synthetics, etc: .4 –

2.4%

“Been drunk or high at school?”: 4.8%

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Montgomery County - 2015 PAYS Report: Emotional and Mental Health Challenges of Students

When asked about overall emotional well-being, students self-reported the following information: • 34.5% felt sad or depressed most days in the

past 12 months. • 21% Sometimes thought life was not worth it.• 31.4 % Said “at times I think I am no god at all.”• 17.4 % felt they were a failure

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Montgomery County Youth Suicide Risk

• 13.6% of Montgomery County Students report having considered suicide in their lifetime. • `5.9% of 6th Graders• 13.2 % of 8th Graders• 17.2 % of 10th Graders• 17.4% of 12th Graders

• 10.5% of all students in all grades indicated they had a suicide plan thought out sometime in their lifetime

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Montgomery County Hope 4 Tomorrow Poll (Asks students to respond to the following)

Have you ever had thoughts of wanted to end your life?

• 47%responded- No, never• 25% responded- Maybe, but unsure if I wanted to

dies• 28% responded -Yes, at some point• 53% who said “Yes” or “Maybe suggest the

number of young people who are struggling is much higher than those who actually complete suicide

This suggests that while the overall suicide rate for young people is (comparably) low, the need to provide support for this age group remains high

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Montgomery County Suicide Task Force / Montgomery County Department of Health:

• Pottstown Township ranks 3rd highest for suicides per year in Montgomery County.

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What we know and what MHFA promotes: Protective Factors

Healthy practices

High self-esteem

Good problem solving

skills

Feeling of control in their

own life

Spirituality

Avoiding alcohol, tobacco

and other drugs

Consistent home/family

routine

Parental/familial support

Monitoring of youth’s

activities Regular school

attendance and academic

performance

Having a good social

support system

Economic security

Availability of constructive

recreation

Community bonding

Feeling close to at least

one adult

Evidence

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…Increases knowledge and understanding

…Encourages people helping people

…Supports people getting help

…Decreases social distance

…Increases mental wellness

Mental Health First Aid….

Mental Health First Aid Instructor Course

The 5-day training teaches you how to:

> Teach the Mental Health First Aid course, including the 5-step

action plan, evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies

> Present the program with fidelity

> Apply the program to a range of adult learning styles

> Tailor presentations to diverse audiences and learning

environments

Approved for CEUs:

> Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training: 32 hours for

NASW, NAADAC

> Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training: 32 hours for

NASW and ACT 48 Credits

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Mental Health First Aid USA is coordinated by the

National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and

the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Take a Course.

You could be the help someone needs.

Find a Course or Instructor near you: www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org

www.fivecountymh.orgwww.healthymindsphilly.org

Contact Us:Regional.mh@pmhcc.org

610-313-0924