ABOUT THE EVENT
Please join us for this free 8-hour program sponsored by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation, Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and The COAD Group.
Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. The training uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.
Mental Health First Aid is included on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP).
Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis:
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect them with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of professionals – they do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. The program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like “what do I do?” and “where can someone find help?” Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors provide participants with a list of community healthcare providers and national resources, and on-line tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive a program manual to compliment the course material.
A light dinner will be provided each evening to attendees.Participants are required to attend all three evenings to receive certification. Registration is required. To register, email ChescoMHFATrainings@gmail.com with name, session date, and cell phone number by April 8th, 2019.
484-713-1102
