I was reminded this week that the small things we do can make a difference. They can cause a chain reaction that can actually change the trajectory of lives and events.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) started in Australia in 2000 because a husband and wife team — Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education, and a person living with mental health challenges, and Anthony Jorm, a mental health literacy professor — realized that while there were programs to address medical emergencies, none of them addressed mental health. So they created one.
In short order, multiple countries adopted their program. In 2008, the National Council for Behavior Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health brought MHFA to the United States.
Mental Health First Aid USA’s mission is to provide high quality evidence-based education so everyone has the first aid skills to support individuals with mental health challenges. Today, millions of people across the United States, known as First Aiders, have been trained in a Mental Health First Aid program.
About 10 years ago, I was one of them. I attended and was certified in an MHFA course. Much like CPR training, the course helps you become a first responder. While I had worked with and among health and human services organizations and their staff for years, the experience built my mental health literacy. That is, to know the words and terms to use.
MHFA’s call to action
‘When you use these skills, you can be the first line of support for an individual in need. You can help them feel less distressed and be a vital source in helping them seek further assistance.
Your body language, what you say, and how well you listen can have a powerful impact. The quality and type of support you offer through listening can enhance coping and self-esteem. With an accurate view of mental health challenges and using a strength-based holistic perspective, you can help individuals help themselves.
You can also be an advocate, empower your community, and improve self-care. As a First Aider, you can be the one to make a difference in the life of someone with a mental health challenge. Your actions can be a first step in an individual’s recovery journey.
In 2021, I took the extra step and completed Instructor training for the MHFA Adult Program — that is, teaching adults how to work with other adults. Recentlt, I also completed the MHFA Youth Program — that is, teaching adults how to work with the youth in their lives.
This past February, Mental Health First Aid USA rolled out the second edition of their materials. An update so communities could continue to have the latest research and practices to better serve. The new information includes:
- The role that culture plays in all our health decisions; and how diverse our communities are.
- A larger segment on trauma and traumatic events, and how such events are a risk factor for all other mental health disorders.
- Information on how to de-escalate situations.
- Information on the community response and the crisis intervention training that is happening among law enforcement officers, mental health counselors, 911 operators, and emergency medical personnel.
Training in parishes
In late February of this year, I was able to bring the updated materials to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, providing the Adult Program to parish and school staff and volunteers. Recently, I provided the adult training for parish staff and members from two parishes at St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo.
On March 19 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., I will provide the two segments of the training at St. William Parish in Janesville. We still have spots open and will work with participants from throughout the diocese who would like the training. See the registration information below if you would like to attend.
These three courses are being sponsored by the Apostolate for People With Disabilities in the Diocese of Madison.
In the midst of the Go Make Disciples efforts, it’s an important part of the community conversation. The research points to the fact that when people have initial difficulties with their mental health, they turn to Christian churches for assistance. In the past, we haven’t received the positive comments about how these individuals or their families were treated by members of our parish communities that we would have hoped for.
I and others are working to change that. To shift our conversations by providing Mental Health First Aid training as a place to start. If you are interested in working on this effort, or if you would like to register for the course happening March 19 and 26 (must attend both parts), contact me at [email protected] We have a limited number of spaces available in the course and will need to receive your name, phone number, email, and parish/school name and location. More details will be sent to those who are registered.
If you would like more information on the “Trauma-Informed Parishes” effort that I am working on; and our effort to “help make our Catholic parishes safe, so that people who have experienced trauma can heal, and in time thrive; and in time share the Good News of the Gospel and walk with others who have experienced trauma. on their way back home to God,” contact me at [email protected]