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With CPR training, one don't have to be a trained clinician to assist someone who's had a heart attack until the medical professional arrives.
Now the public can get training in how to help a person experiencing a mental health crisis, such as contemplating suicide, until appropriate professional help arrives.
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County has three certified trainers of Mental Health First Aid. The eight-hour course can give people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. It teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders in the community.
With one in five American adults having a mental illness and one in 10 full-time employees having an addiction, employers may be interested in the training. It can also be valuable for first responders.
Mental health first aiders learn a single five-step strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help and other supports. Role-playing makes it easier to apply skills in a real-life situation.
Participants are introduced to risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance use problems, engage in activities that build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families and learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
To learn more about Mental Health First Aid training, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
For more information about participating in Mental Health First Aid training through a certified trainer at the Mental Health Association, call 661-9044 or visit mhachautauqua.org.
The Mental Health Association is staffed by certified peer specialists that provide recovery coaching. They work in collaboration with local treatment providers, other non-profits, and treatment courts to help participants succeed in attaining their goals. More than two dozen peer support groups meet weekly at the MHA, where participants can talk with others across a wide range of concerns, from PTSD to parenting. All services and programs are offered free of charge. The MHA's recent Spring 2017 Newsletter can be accessed online at mhachautauqua.org. The Mental Health Association is located in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water St., Door 14, Jamestown. For more information, call 661-9044 or visit mhachautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua.