Mental Health First Aid Training

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of professionals - they do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions, like "what do I do?" and "where can someone find help?" 

The MVMA is offering this low-cost training ($45) to MVMA members only on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 8:00 am -5:00 pm at the Continuing Education and Conference Center at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul Campus. The course is limited to 30 participants only (mandate from the National Council for Behavioral Health).

Register is closedRe

Mental Health First Aid introduces risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Mental Health First Aid is included on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). 

Course Details
Mental Health First Aid teaches a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis:
Assess for risk of suicide or harm
Listen nonjudgmentally
Give reassurance and information
Encourage appropriate professional help
Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community healthcare providers and national resources, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. 

 Additional Training Information

• This program provides 9.5 hours of continuing education credits
• Breaks and lunch are provided. Email ([email protected]) or call (651-645-7533) the MVMA if you have dietary accommodations.
• All participants will receive a program manual to compliment the course material

Location
Continuing Education and Conference Center
1890 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108

This training is brought to you by:
WeGIVE (Wellness and Gender in Veterinary Environments) Subcommittee and
MOVE (Minnesota Opportunities for Veterinarian Engagement)