Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid

About:

Great Plains College has partnered with Opening Minds to offer the Mental Health First Aid Standard course. Opening Minds is a not-for-profit organization whose focus is on providing training and knowledge to talk about mental health and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.

Opening Minds was created by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and is leading the effort to eradicate stigma associated with mental health.

This course will be facilitated by Crystal Bradshaw, a GPC staff member who has 10+ years of experience working in the field of mental health with the vulnerable sector of the population. Her expertise will be an asset as participants work through this training.

Course Objective:

While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes toward individuals living with mental health or substance use problems. It prevents people from seeking help and providing appropriate support to people around them.

MHFA Standard has been proven to give participants:

• the tools to recognize signs of decline in mental well-being
• the ability to talk about their mental health
• the knowledge to discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery or improved mental well-being
• the confidence to reach out for these supports
• the tools to assist during a mental health or substance use crisis
• the knowledge to use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental wellness

 

Course Description:

This 12-hour course consists of 3 modules. Module 1 is self-directed and is to be completed online prior to the live classroom session which covers modules 2 + 3. Upon registration, participants will receive a Participant Reference Guide that outlines MHFA actions for mental health and substance abuse problems and crises.

Module 1: Self-directed (online) module that introduces participants to the concepts of the course and MHFA actions. Module 1 must be completed 24 hours prior to the live session.

Module 2: Live classroom module that discusses tools on how to apply MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being and guidelines for MHFA conversations with diverse populations and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Module 3: Live classroom module that gives participants the opportunity to practice applying MHFA actions to crisis situations and to discuss the importance of self-care.

 

This is an interactive course that provides a supportive group learning environment.  Practical skills are taught using a model that is easy to remember and apply in real-life settings.

 

This course offers crisis first aid and interventions for the following:

• suicidal behavior
• panic attacks
• overdose
• acute stress reaction and,
• psychotic episodes

And will assist people to do the following:

• Assess the risk of suicide and/or harm.
• Listen non-judgmentally.
• Give reassurance.
• Encourage professional and other support.
• Practice Self-Care.

 

After completing the course, participants will receive a Mental Health First Aid Certificate.  Participants will also have access to the Participant Refence Guide online for 1 year after completing the training, which contains course content and provides additional resources. 

Note: Participants must attend all 12 hours of the course to receive their Mental Health First Aid certificate. There is a non-refundable $75 fee if the 5-day cancellation deadline is not met.