A New VJLAP Training Opportunity: Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA) is an exciting addition to the VJLAP menu of services, a training you and your colleagues should not miss! This course teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis and helps you identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.
Four Reasons to Become a Mental Health First Aider
- Be Prepared: When a mental health crisis happens, know what to do.
- You Can Help: People with mental illness often suffer alone.
- Mental Illnesses Are Common: 1 in 5 adults in any given year (more common in the legal profession).
- You care: Be there for a friend, family member, or colleague (or client in a crisis).
Barbara Mardigian, our Deputy Clinical Director, has recently been certified as a MHFA Instructor and is available in-person or virtually to provide this course which covers:
- Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
- Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders.
- A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis.
- Where to turn for help — professional, peer, and self-help resources.
MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen Nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
For additional information or to schedule a training, contact Barbara Mardigian: bmardigian@vjlap.org.
