What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Here at Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, we offer an assortment of MHFA trainings tailored for specific areas of interest.
What Mental Health First Aid Covers:
Common signs and symptoms of mental illness
Common signs and symptoms of substance use
How to interact with a person in crisis
How to connect the person with help
NEW: Expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care
The course will teach you how to apply the ALGEE action plan:
Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
Listen nonjudgmentally.
Give reassurance and information.
Encourage appropriate professional help.
Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Available Learning Options in both Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid:
Virtual. First Aiders will complete a 2-hour, self-paced online class, and then participate in a 4-hour, Instructor-led videoconference.
Blended Learning. After completing a 2-hour, self-paced class, First Aiders will participate in a 4-hour, in-person, Instructor-led class.
In-person. First Aiders will receive their training as an 8-hour, Instructor-led, in-person course.
Available Mental Health First Aid Specialized Course Modules:
- Military Members, Veterans, and Their Families
- Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Public Safety
- Higher Education
- Older Adults and Those Dealing with Later-Life Issues
- Fire & EMS
How to Register:
Mental Health First course is available to all residents of Nueces County. Feel free to contact mhfa@ncmhid.org if you would like to request a specific course for your organization. Onsite training available upon request. Currently, we are able to offer MHFA trainings free of charge to all educators, faculty and staff.
For a list of upcoming courses or to register, click on the following link: Click Here
For more information on upcoming courses, please contact Kaitlin Sullivan at mhfa@ncmhid.org, or call 361.886.1331.
