A course in Mental Health First Aid will be offered at the Gallatin First Christian Church from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The course is open to the public and free of charge. The church is located at 1501 South Main Street. Lunch is provided.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This eight-hour training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.
For more information, contact [email protected] or call 660-665-1962.
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.
Topics Covered
Depression and mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Trauma
Psychosis
Substance Use disorders
Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.
The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
Assess for risk of suicide or harm
Listen non-judgmentally
Give reassurance and Information
Encourage appropriate professional help
Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Interventions Learned
When you take a course, you learn how to apply the Mental Health First Aid action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:
Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Non-suicidal self-injury
Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)
Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use
Reaction to a traumatic event
The opportunity to practice — through role plays, scenarios, and activities — makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.