Mental Health First Aid Matters

"Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder." -Mental Health First Aid

This training course is for FIRE & EMS first responders, 911 communication operators, and their adult family members. This course is presented in an interactive, engaging manner to help those who are in the profession of helping others. This is a one-day, eight hour course that is tailed to individuals that first responders come in contact with in the course of their duties in the community, but is equally useful as a peer support tool for one's colleagues and family members. BLS & ALS continuing education credits offered.

Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency; the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well! Topics covered: depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
NSPA offers courses throughout the year and you can check under our event calendar for upcoming events. You can also visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org and use the find a course tool to find a training near you!
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This course is intended for Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Healthcare Professionals and other first responders. For more information on this program please reach out to Monica McCullough, Training & Exercise Coordinator.