Mental Health First Aid (SOLD OUT)

Learning Objectives

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.

Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to:

• Talk about declines in their mental well-being

• Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being

• Reach out to these support

• Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis

• Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being

Course Outline

Section 1: Mental Health & Stigma

• What is MHFA?

• Why is MHFA needed and what is the role of a first aider?

• Key terms, language, and concepts

• Impact of stigma on mental well-being

• The range of changes that may indicate a decline in mental well-being

• Introduction to MHFA Actions – ALGEES

Section 2: Substance-Related Disorders

• What is a substance-related disorder?

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• MHFA for substance-related problems

• Crisis first aid for overdose

• Treatment and resources

Section 3: Mood-Related Disorders

• What is a mood-related disorder?

• Types of mood-related disorders

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• Substance use and mood disorders

• Suicide in Canada

• MHFA for mood-related problems

• Reasons for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)

• MHFA for non-suicidal self-injury

• Treatment and resources

Section 4: Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders

• What are anxiety and trauma-related disorders?

• Types of anxiety and trauma-related disorders

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• Substance use and anxiety disorders

• MHFA for anxiety and trauma-related problems

• Crisis first aid for panic attacks

• Crisis first aid for acute stress reactions

• Treatment and resources

Section 5: Psychotic Disorders

• What is a psychotic disorder?

• Types of psychotic disorders

• Signs and symptoms

• Risk factors

• Substance use and psychotic disorders

• Crisis first aid for psychotic episodes