We are Mental Health First Aid Trained!

Published: 2019
By Kellie Kahtani

MSU Extension, in cooperation with Laura Cross of Butte Cares, brought two courses of Adult Mental Health First Aid to Butte, training 40 members of the community. According to the National Institute on Behavioral Health, Mental Health First Aid is “the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis”. During the course, participants learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders and institute the ALGEE action plan. Participants in the community ranged from hospice workers to employees of the public library. After taking the course, one participant said, “It was helpful in thinking through how to address situations with people who may be dealing with mental health illness”. Participants given scenarios to work through including helpful things to say, how to listen nonjudgementally, and what types of help are available. Another participant added, “The course built confidence to ask the hard questions”. This 8-hour course is designed to help community members feel more confident in helping someone experiencing a crisis and help reduce the sigma of mental health disorders. Hopefully by reducing the stigma, more people will feel comfortable with seeking help for mental illness and reduce the number of attempted and completed suicides in our community. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course, for adults working with youth, is also available to the community through MSU Extension.