Mental Halth First Aid Monthly Newsletter

 

Hello, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) family! Each May, we mark Mental Health Awareness Month and this year, we are also honoring those who advocate for mental wellbeing within the public safety, fire and EMS, and military veteran communities. For a first-hand perspective, we sat down with MHFA National Trainer, former deputy sheriff and Army veteran Derrick Sanders. In a recent article for the MHFA blog, he shares:

Check out the MHFA blog for the full story and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the know on all things MHFA!

National Prevention Week: A Resource Guide This month, we observed National Prevention Week, an annual observance sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) dedicated to increasing public awareness and action around substance use prevention and promoting positive mental wellbeing. In the past year, 74% of adults in America reported having a substance use challenge, and with so many people needing support, we’ve gathered resources to help you help someone who may be experiencing a substance use challenge. Read more.

Our Youth are in Crisis, but it is Not Too Late to Help Them MHFA National Trainer Jermine Alberty shares insight on why our youth need our help now more than ever. He writes, “If it weren’t for the skills-based training I received as a Mental Health First Aider and my experiences as an Instructor and National Trainer, I wouldn’t have had the tools I needed to support my son. When he was 17, the bullying he was experiencing in high school led to his deep depression, anxiety and ultimately suicidal ideation. I am grateful that he is now on his recovery journey and doing well!” Read more.

Why Employers Should Invest in Employee Mental Wellbeing  A recent study shows that a mere 32% of human resources professionals say offering mental health resources such as employee assistance programs is a high priority for their organization. This is concerning, especially considering that about 94% of human resources professionals believe offering mental health resources can improve the overall health of employees. In a new blog post, Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, explores how companies can do a better job of supporting their employees’ wellbeing and why it is so vital now, amid the Great Resignation. Read more.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month To commemorate this important observance and support those who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, as well as those in recovery, check out the National Council’s Mental Health Awareness Month directory for wellbeing resources, sample social media messaging and sharable observance graphics like this one! Click the image to access a downloadable version you can share on your social platforms.

Expanding Access to Mental Health First Aid Thanks to First Aiders like you who are the heart and soul of MHFA, we continue to expand into communities across America and launch initiatives with partner organizations, including Bioré Skincare, Harry’s, Girl Scouts of the USA and Rare Beauty

Become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor Register for a virtual 3-day training and join the thousands of Instructors across the country who are empowering people in their communities to support their family, friends and neighbors. For more information, visit our Become an Instructor webpage or email MHFAApplications@TheNationalCouncil.org. Grants Available Each year, the National Council awards a one-time $5,000 grant to four outstanding full-time doctoral students who demonstrate significant potential as researchers in their fields of study and are interested in evaluating the outcomes of MHFA trainings in the U.S. This year’s application is due May 27, 2022. Learn more.

Register for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Hill Day at Home, a free, virtual event on June 8. During Hill Day at Home, you’ll hear from key leaders on the latest mental health and substance use policy developments coming from Capitol Hill and the White House and have the chance to show your support for key programs like Mental Health First Aid. Sign up for MHFA’s advocacy alerts and check out the Capital Connector blog to learn how policy trends affect mental health and substance use treatment.

Word In Black reports that Black students were nearly 600 times as likely to get mental health help in an academic setting compared to other options, however due to the pandemic, schools’ resources have been stretched thin. One way schools are addressing the growing need for support is with Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). MHFA’s Tramaine EL-Amin notes that the program not only teaches people how to help each other, but also how to help themselves. “The evidence demonstrates that people’s own mental wellbeing increases because they’re more aware of their own challenges.” Read more.     This Cleveland.com article looks at how law enforcement officers in Cleveland, Ohio, are approaching crisis intervention. Many officers are trained to be part of a crisis intervention team through the county’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMHS), which also offers MHFA trainings to members of the public as well as police officers. One of the authors, a local law enforcement executive, writes, “We are usually the first faces of professional help they see, and we have the opportunity to set the right tone for how our assistance will be received.” Read more.     In honor of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, CNET spoke to MHFA’s EL-Amin about the importance of discussing mental wellbeing with kids. “Mental health challenges [are] the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people,” EL-Amin said, noting that while many parents fear that talking about these topics will make their children feel alienated, listening and letting the children know that these challenges are common will likely bring them relief. Read more.