Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a youth who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

By recognizing signs of mental health distress and knowing how to communicate with individuals experiencing these scary moments, we can be part of an immensely impactful early intervention effort. If we identify problems early, we increase the chances people get the help they need as soon as possible.

Course Objectives

The Blended MHFA Course (2–hour self-paced; 6 hours via Zoom) focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that show there might be a mental health challenge. Participants are taught an action plan that they apply to non-crisis and crisis situations. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of MHFA and the role of the First Aider.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
• Explain the impact of traumatic experiences and the role of resilience.
• Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to non-crisis situations.
• Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to crisis situations.
• Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of MHFA

Each Session Includes

• 2 hours self-paced course
• 6 hours live Zoom call (two 3-hour sessions)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) History

MHFA was created in Australia in 2000 by Betty Kitchener, an educator and mental health consumer, and Professor Tony Jorm, a mental health researcher. In 2008, the National Council, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health brought MHFA to the United States. The courses are designed to teach people how to approach, assess, and assist a person who may be in the early stages of developing a mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis.

Facilitator: Lance Metayer

Lance Metayer has been spent the last sixteen years working with youth and families who have been impacted by developmental trauma and chronic stress. Lance is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and the Team Leader of School Based Clinical Services at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services. Through his work he oversees a team of mental health clinicians providing therapy to children and adolescents in schools thought Franklin and Grand Isle County. Previously, Lance was the Statewide Project Coordinator for Community FIRST, a SAMHSA grant which has developed a statewide network of Youth/Adult Mental Health First Aid instructors that provided Y/MHFA training to educators, foster parents, and community members throughout the state. Lance is passionate about providing mental health education to reduce mental health sigma, increase early intervention, and to improve social conditions for individuals impacted by mental illness.