Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognized education and empowerment curriculum designed to reduce mental health stigma and educate citizens around identifying and engaging people who experience symptoms of mental illness. Peer-reviewed studies published in Australia, where the program originated, show that individuals trained in the program:
- Grow their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions.
- Can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction.
- Increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
- Show increased mental wellness themselves.
Studies also show that the program reduces the social distance created by negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses.
Mental Health First Aid USA is listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. NREPP is a searchable database of mental health and substance abuse interventions to help the public find programs and practices that may best meet their needs and learn how to implement them in their communities. All interventions in the registry have been independently assessed and rated for quality of research and readiness for dissemination.
Adult and Child Center is very proud to have multiple Mental Health First Aid Trainers on staff. If your agency is interested in hosting one of these 8 hour events, please contact our development department at [email protected] or 317.893.0336.
A summary of Mental Health First Aid is available by clicking here.
