Adult Mental Health First Aid

The web version of our Adult Mental Health First Aid flyer. Everything in the printed flyer is on this page.

Download original PDF flyer: Adult Mental Health First Aid; opens in a new tab

Why Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

Why It Matters

The flyer presents these three figures as graphics. They are given here as a table so each number stays attached to what it measures and where it came from.

Mental health and substance use in the United States
Figure What it represents Source
130 People die by suicide every day, on average. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
841,000 People died from drug overdoses between 1999 and 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1 in 5 People in the United States lives with a mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health

Who Needs to Know Mental Health First Aid

  • Employers
  • College students
  • Police officers
  • Hospital staff
  • First responders
  • Caring individuals

What It Covers

  • Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
  • How to interact with a person in crisis.
  • How to connect a person with help.
  • Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

The ALGEE Action Plan

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan. Each letter of ALGEE stands for one step.

A
Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
L
Listen nonjudgmentally.
G
Give reassurance and information.
E
Encourage appropriate professional help.
E
Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

Three Ways to Learn

In person, 2nd Edition

Learners receive their training during a 7.5-hour, Instructor-led, in-person session.

Blended

Learners complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a 4.5- to 5.5-hour, Instructor-led training. That Instructor-led training can be:

  • A video conference.
  • An in-person class.

Schedule a Class

Contact Donna Rollyson, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, at the Northern WV Area Health Education Center to schedule a class.

To find a course or contact a Mental Health First Aid Instructor in your area, visit MHFA.org (opens in a new tab) or email Hello@MentalHealthFirstAid.org.

Sources

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