Mental Health First Aid: Show Me How!...

Most Missourians understand first aid and what to do if someone is choking, not breathing or exhibiting signs of another health emergency. However, few people know basic interventions if they encounter a person experiencing a mental health emergency even though they are likely to encounter such situations as well.

In Australia, Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm developed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to teach basic first aid interventions for common mental health problems such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, substance use disorder, or a crisis situation such as suicidal behavior, post trauma distress, drug overdose, panic attack, and the like. Participants in a MHFA course demonstrated improved confidence in providing initial help, increased help given, and reduced stigma regarding mental health disorders resulting in international adoption and adaptation. Missouri is working collaboratively with a team from Maryland and the National Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare to launch the American version of Mental Health First Aid.