Mental health and substance use concerns have understandably skyrocketed in the last several years. It's an overwhelming time for many. Even if you want to support those around you, it can be difficult to know what to do or what signs to look for when someone is struggling with mental health or substance use.

What would the world look like if:

• more people had the tools to better support those experiencing mental health and substance use issues?
• we could reduce the stigma that keeps so many from getting the help they need? 
• folks could get assistance before their experience turns into a suicide prevention situation?

Let's try to find out - together. Let's work together to bring greater support, knowledge, and awareness to our homes, workplaces, communities, and beyond. Please join me for Adult Mental Health First Aid certification training.

Mental Health First Aid is a training — like regular First Aid or CPR — designed to give people the skills to help someone who's developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The evidence behind the program reflects that it helps trainees identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

After you attend Adult Mental Health First Aid training, you can put your new knowledge into action immediately to help co-create more thoughtful, stigma-reducing environments - at work, at home, and everywhere you go.

Virtual Small Group Adult Mental Health First Aid with TO SAY I AM

Mental Health First Aid Training uses reflection, discussion, and simulations to demonstrate how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of specific illnesses. 

The coursework teaches participants a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or who's in an emotional crisis:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Adult Mental Health First Aid certification training is for folks who are age 18+ who would like tools to support other 18+ folks. The training consists of:

• A 2 hour Virtual Self-Paced Pre-Work Course (National Council of Mental Well-being Online Platform)
• An 7 hour Virtual, Live Instructor-led Training (Zoom session that includes breaks throughout)
• Post-Course Knowledge Check and Certification (National Council of Mental Well-being Online Platform)

Why Adult Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid helps people better understand that mental illnesses and addictions are real, common, and treatable and that it’s okay to seek help. Research demonstrates Mental Health First Aid's effectiveness in improving knowledge of mental illnesses and substance use, removing fear and misunderstanding, and enabling those trained to offer concrete assistance.

Individuals trained in Adult Mental Health First Aid can help:

• Raise awareness and encourage understanding of the ways in which one’s cultural background can impact the discrimination associated with mental illness
• Reach out to those who suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help
• Let those they interact with know that support is available in their community and beyond
• Provide information on self-help strategies and resources
• Make mental health care and treatment more accessible to those in need

Through MHFA, more than 2.9 million people in the U.S. have been trained by over 25,000 certified Instructors to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

Peer-reviewed studies have proven that trained Mental Health First Aiders are more knowledgeable and confident when it comes to identifying and helping an individual in distress.

Recently Updated Curriculum & Why It's Important

The Adult Mental Health First Aid curriculum was recently updated. The new curriculum gives First Aiders working definitions for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It describes the types of crises associated with trauma and emphasizes the importance of early intervention following a traumatic event. First Aiders receive clear guidance for supporting someone immediately after a traumatic event, as well as over the time that follows. This added instruction on trauma will help First Aiders better assess and respond to situations where they encounter someone dealing with trauma.

The new curriculum also helps First Aiders understand what self-care is and the various forms it can take. The instruction demonstrates how self-care is important to resilience and recovery and then helps First Aiders develop their own self-care action plans that they can use to navigate traumas and stressors.

Hi! I'm Jamie (she/her), the person behind TO SAY I AM. Welcome and thank you so much for your interest in Adult Mental Health First Aid.

TO SAY I AM exclusively provides virtual, small group training. Here's why:

Virtual training gives you the freedom to participate from any place (with a high speed internet connection) that's convenient and comfortable for you.

Not everyone has easy access to in-person Mental Health First Aid training. Even if someone has easy (or easier) access to in-person training, not everyone is fully comfortable to address sensitive topics with a group of strangers in-person. Remote, virtual access can provide a greater sense of ease for some and opens up access for folks who want to limit Covid-19 exposure. This format also allows a bit more freedom of movement for folks who'd like to step away from the training to care for their well-being.

Conducting training in a small group environment can also allow for a more personalized experience where folks have a greater opportunity to ask questions, participate, and seek a comfort level that may be absent with larger group instruction. Trainings will have a maximum of 15 participants per live instructor-led session.

To allow opportunity for a change in eye focus, movement, and off-screen care without missing material, I also specifically schedule virtual training times to allow small breaks throughout and a 30 minute break mid-session.

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Do you have questions about this training? Let's get them answered. Send a message.

Interested in bringing this virtual training to your workplace? I'd love to help.