From pastors and professors to claims adjusters and airline employees, a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program offered by Texas Health Resources is helping North Texans better respond to their neighbors in crisis. The national course, introduced locally in November 2021, is offered monthly and has certified more than 550 individuals as Mental Health First Aiders.
According to Mental Health America, 17% of adults in Texas – 3.6 million people – are experiencing mental illness. Texas Health is hoping MHFA training will help create a stronger community support system for individuals in crisis.
The one-day course, offered virtually and in group settings, teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns. The program is led by experienced trainers and features interactive videos, breakout sessions and other activities, with discussions on depression and mood disorders; anxiety disorders; trauma; psychosis; and substance use disorders.
MHFA training is free of charge and can be accessed virtually. Texas Health also offers the course in large group settings. More than a dozen local organizations have signed on to date, including GM Financial, Southwest Airlines, and University of Texas at Arlington.
Shortly after taking the course, Tracy Lane, a library assistant at Rise Branch Library located in Fort Worth’s Rise Community Center, encountered a community member going through some mental health challenges and was able to put her new skills to work.
“The training and certification have equipped and empowered me to recognize people experiencing a mental health crisis and how to properly respond to ensure they get the assistance that's needed. We were able to support and continue to support our community with this toolbox of wellness strategies.”
MHFA is based on a five-step action plan known as ALGEE: ASSESS for risk of suicide or harm; LISTEN nonjudgmentally; GIVE reassurance and information; ENCOURAGE appropriate professional help; ENCOURAGE self-help and other support strategies.
For some professions, that ability to recognize and respond to mental health issues is critical. “I come in contact with various individuals who are having a mental health crisis, either themselves or in their family,” said Nathan Krause, pastor at Fort Worth’s First Seventh-day Adventist Church, who was one of the first participants to take MHFA training locally. “I’ve taken regular First Aid, and I’ve used both, but certainly the opportunities to use Mental Health First Aid are much more.”
Becky Garner, a clinical associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, took MHFA training in February 2022 and was so strongly impacted, she requested additional training for university students and staff. “Mental Health First Aid training provided me with the communication skills and resources to better support my students, our program, and the university community,” Garner said. “After also attending the workshop, several students shared that they truly appreciated the opportunity to participate. They felt the workshop provided them with the tools to better handle stress themselves, while also being in a more informed position to help others.”
Danielle Spencer, a corporate wellness specialist at GM Financial, said MHFA training has been a valuable resource for her organization because it provides practical and purposeful guidance for scenarios that impact GM employees on a daily basis. "I often hear from participants that the direction and lessons taught in MHFA training empower them to feel confident in supporting a mental health crisis, which can be life-changing,” Spencer said. “It’s imperative that we continue to encourage and promote the opportunity to spread this course far and wide. You just might be the next person to save a life.”
MHFA training is offered monthly, with registration currently available for classes through the end of the year. Some online prework is required, and participants who finish the course earn Mental Health First Aider certification.
For more information, or to register for MHFA training, go to: https://info.bluezonesproject.com/mhfa.