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adult mental health first aid
Just as every coach and support staff member is trained in CPR and traditional first aid, it is equally important to equip yourself with the skills provided by the National Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification. Mental health crises can arise suddenly, and having the proper training to respond effectively can make a significant difference in the lives of athletes and colleagues alike.
Coaches as First-Line Support Systems:
Coaches serve as the first line of support for their players, often being the first to notice changes in behavior, performance, or overall well-being. However, the pressure on coaches to identify these changes can be overwhelming, especially when they have received little to no formal training in recognizing mental health struggles. Many coaches feel ill-equipped to approach sensitive situations, leaving them uncertain about how to provide support or direct their players toward appropriate resources.
Why Mental Health First Aid Certification is Essential:
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms: Similar to how CPR training helps you recognize the signs of a medical emergency, MHFA teaches you to identify the early signs of mental health issues. Understanding these signs can lead to prompt intervention, potentially preventing a crisis from escalating.
Providing Immediate Support: The skills gained through MHFA certification empower coaches and staff to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health challenge. Just as you would perform CPR to stabilize someone in a physical emergency, you can use your MHFA training to offer crucial support until professional help is available.
Creating a Supportive Environment: By becoming certified, you foster a culture of awareness and understanding within your team. Coaches and staff who are knowledgeable about mental health can encourage open conversations, reduce stigma, and create an atmosphere where athletes feel safe seeking help.
Building Resilience and Better Relationships: Mental health training enhances your ability to connect with your athletes on a deeper level. This increases trust and communication, which are vital for a well-functioning team. Coaches who understand mental wellness can help their players build resilience, leading to improved performance and overall well-being.
Proactive Approach to Mental Health: Just as regular physical training is crucial for athletes, ongoing education in mental health is essential for maintaining a proactive approach. With MHFA certification, coaches can continually integrate mental well-being strategies into their routines, ensuring that mental health is prioritized alongside physical training.
Getting certified in Mental Health First Aid is not just an option; it is a responsibility that coaches and support staff should embrace. The knowledge and skills gained through this training can transform how we support our athletes and colleagues, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more resilient athletic community. Take the first step towards empowerment—invest in your certification today!
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FAQs
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Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.
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Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as how to provide someone with initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help.
This evidence-based, early-intervention course uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to help you be prepared to provide support to those in need in your community. Participants learn a 5-step Action Plan (ALGEE), which includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in need, and identifying appropriate professional help and other support.
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Topics covered include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorders. Trainees are taught how to apply the 5-step action plan in a variety of situations such as helping someone through a panic attack, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, or assisting an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the Mental Health First Aid course is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than to just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation. Read more on these strategies.
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MHFA should not be considered a replacement for professional help. MHFA is designed to support an individual in need of help until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn the 5-step MHFA Action Plan known as ALGEE, which includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying appropriate professional help, which may include licensed counselors, primary care physicians, social workers or psychiatrists.
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No. Mental Health First Aiders and Instructors should not diagnose or provide therapy when operating in either of these capacities. Only a trained and licensed mental health professional can diagnose someone with a mental illness. First Aiders and Instructors can be aware of changes in a person’s mood, behavior, energy or habits, and provide a bridge to appropriate help. With their additional certification, an Instructors’ primary role is to teach the MHFA course with fidelity to the core program and key messages, including fidelity to systems and course reporting by MHFA USA.
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Yes. Peer reviewed studies from Australia and across the globe show that the program improves the mental health of both the individual administering care and the one receiving it, expands knowledge of mental health challenges and their treatments, increases the services provided and reduces overall stigma toward individuals with mental health or substance use challenges by improving mental health literacy. One trial of 301 randomized participants found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. For further evidence supporting Mental Health First Aid, please see the Evaluation section of Mental Health First Aid™ Australia’s website.
OUR SERVICES
Virtual:
Offered entirely online, allowing participants to learn from anywhere with an internet connection.
In-Person:
Conducted in a classroom setting with an instructor.
Blended:
Combines online pre-work with an in-person or virtual instructor-led session.
Are you interested in getting certified as an individual or group? Please fill out your information, and we will contact you with pricing and availability! We look forward to hearing from you!
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ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Mental Health First Aid for Adults teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions
Who It’s For:
The adult MHFA course is designed for anyone age 18 and older who wants to learn how to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis or problem.
COURSE CONTENT
Participants learn about common mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
They gain skills to recognize risk factors and warning signs.
The program teaches an action plan (ALGEE) to help individuals provide support and connect people with resources.
BENEFITS
Reduces stigma around mental health.
Empowers individuals to offer support and help.
Provides a framework for starting conversations about mental health.