When we think of first aid, the first things that come to mind are usually CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, or tending to an injury. While it is important to know how to respond when someone has a physical emergency, knowing what to do in the case of a mental health crisis can also be potentially lifesaving.
Although mental illness knows no season, May has been designated Mental Health Awareness Month to fight stigma, educate the public, and provide support for people with mental illness. According to Mental Health America, 17 percent of adults in Texas are experiencing a mental illness—that’s more than 3.6 million people. Six percent have a substance abuse disorder, and nearly 4 percent are experiencing serious thoughts of suicide.
The statistics are alarming, but it is possible to recognize a mental health or substance-abuse problem and intervene. That’s why North Texas Healthy Communities (NTHC) is offering free Mental Health First Aid training for anyone interested in knowing how to identify, understand, and respond to a mental health crisis. Similar to physical first aid and CPR, Mental Health First Aid provides assistance to someone experiencing a crisis until professional assistance is obtained or the crisis is resolved. NTHC is a non-profit outreach arm of Texas Health that implements Blue Zones Project and other well-being initiatives in North Texas.
“We’re at a critical point, with a shortage of mental health professionals and many people dealing with ongoing stress from the pandemic,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of Blue Zones Project/NTHC. “While this training isn’t a substitute for professional treatment, it does help us build a community that understands how to support someone in crisis, and that makes us a healthier community overall.”
Mental Health First Aid was first brought to the U.S. in 2008 by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Since then, it has become a full-blown movement with more than 12.5 million people certified as Mental Health First Aiders. Training is open to everyone—no particular background or degree is required. Participants are required to complete two hours of online prework on their own, then attend a 6-hour virtual training course via ZOOM. At the core of Mental Health First Aid is a 5-step action plan called ALGEE that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support: ASSESS for risk of suicide or harm; LISTEN nonjudgmentally; GIVE reassurance and information; ENCOURAGE appropriate professional help; and ENCOURAGE self-help and other support strategies. Upon completion of the internationally recognized course, participants earn a certificate as Mental Health First Aiders.
“The training equipped and empowered me to recognize people experiencing a mental health crisis and gave me the tools to properly respond,” said Tracy Lane, a library assistant at Fort Worth’s LVTRise Branch Library. “In fact, I was able to use the strategies almost immediately to support someone going through challenges.”
NTHC first began offering the program locally in spring of 2021. In response to demand, quarterly training sessions have been expanded to provide Mental Health First Aid on a monthly basis. While the May and June sessions are already full, seats remain for July through November classes.
Check out the Blue Zones Project event page on LiveLongFortWorth.com to find links to sign up for future sessions. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. For more information about Mental Health First Aid, email BlueZonesProject@texashealth.org.