Mental Health First Aid
-
Basic pageWHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID? Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleagues.Mental Health First Aid
-
Basic page
Mental Health First Aid
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleagues.
To help the National Association of Counties (NACo) realize its vision of creating healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and NACo are partnering to offer
crucial MHFA trainings to county employees and the communities they serve. The National Council-NACo partnership will support elected officials and county staff, who are asking for help with their own mental health and wellbeing. And, by extension, create a framework for counties to destigmatize mental health and substance use issues as they provide community residents with more equitable access to quality mental health and substance use treatment services.The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The group was very impressed with the trainers and felt the curriculum was extremely useful in helping the county workforce address and support the need of county employees who may be experiencing mental health and/or substance use needs. The training was comprehensive, skills-oriented and provided the essential tools and guidance to support our staff.”
— Michael Orth, Commissioner, Westchester County, NY, Department of Community Mental Health
WHAT MHFA COVERS
- Noticing signs and symptoms of substance use and mental health challenges.
- Navigating difficult conversations about mental health.
- Knowing that recovery is possible – and how to support it.
- Tackling mental health stigma in the workplace.
- Understanding principles of safety and privacy. Building resilience and strategies to alleviate burnout.
- Implementing a 5-step MHFA Action Plan.
- Reinforcing relevant Employee Resource Groups,employee benefits and HR initiatives
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
- County employees at all levels, including elected officials and county staff across all departments and organizations.
- Human resources and benefits partners, senior leaders and front-line managers.
- First responders including law enforcement, corrections officers, fire and EMS services
- Hospital and nursing home staff
- School teachers, administrators and youth-serving staff
Sources
Coe, E., Cordina, J., Enomoto, K., Seshan, N. (2021, July 23). Overcoming stigma: three strategies toward better mental health in the workplace. McKinsey Quarterly. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/overcoming-stigma-three-strategies-toward-better-mental-health-in-the-workplace
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). Mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
National Association of Counties. (n.d.) Behavioral health matters to counties. https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/NACo%20Behavioral%20Health%20Priorities.pdf
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?2022-02-22Basic page2022-12-01
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a skills-based training administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers, friends and colleagues.
To help the National Association of Counties (NACo) realize its vision of creating healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and NACo are partnering to offer
crucial MHFA trainings to county employees and the communities they serve. The National Council-NACo partnership will support elected officials and county staff, who are asking for help with their own mental health and wellbeing. And, by extension, create a framework for counties to destigmatize mental health and substance use issues as they provide community residents with more equitable access to quality mental health and substance use treatment services.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The group was very impressed with the trainers and felt the curriculum was extremely useful in helping the county workforce address and support the need of county employees who may be experiencing mental health and/or substance use needs. The training was comprehensive, skills-oriented and provided the essential tools and guidance to support our staff.”
— Michael Orth, Commissioner, Westchester County, NY, Department of Community Mental Health
WHAT MHFA COVERS
- Noticing signs and symptoms of substance use and mental health challenges.
- Navigating difficult conversations about mental health.
- Knowing that recovery is possible – and how to support it.
- Tackling mental health stigma in the workplace.
- Understanding principles of safety and privacy. Building resilience and strategies to alleviate burnout.
- Implementing a 5-step MHFA Action Plan.
- Reinforcing relevant Employee Resource Groups,employee benefits and HR initiatives
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
- County employees at all levels, including elected officials and county staff across all departments and organizations.
- Human resources and benefits partners, senior leaders and front-line managers.
- First responders including law enforcement, corrections officers, fire and EMS services
- Hospital and nursing home staff
- School teachers, administrators and youth-serving staff
Sources
Coe, E., Cordina, J., Enomoto, K., Seshan, N. (2021, July 23). Overcoming stigma: three strategies toward better mental health in the workplace. McKinsey Quarterly. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/overcoming-stigma-three-strategies-toward-better-mental-health-in-the-workplace
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). Mental illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
National Association of Counties. (n.d.) Behavioral health matters to counties. https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/NACo%20Behavioral%20Health%20Priorities.pdf
-
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Announces Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
New initiative brings together county leaders to drive action on nation’s mental health crisis -
Reports & Toolkits
Medicaid and Counties: Understanding the Program and Why It Matters to Counties
As Congress considers changes to the nation’s health care system, NACo urges them to consider implications of reforms that would merely shift costs to counties. -
Reports & Toolkits
Behavioral Health Matters to Counties
Through 750 behavioral health authorities and community providers, county governments plan and operate community-based services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use conditions. -
Video
NACo Summit on Mental Health Solutions
Congressional, federal agency leaders and national thought leaders will gather with county officials to discuss priorities for curbing the ongoing mental health crisis. -
Webinar
Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Feb. 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here.
Contact
-
National Program Director of Technology Partnerships, NACo FSC(202) 942-4287
LEARN MORE
To learn more about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org or email MHFA_NACo@TheNationalCouncil.org.
DOWNLOAD THE ONE-PAGER
Related Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
19Apr2023Webinar
Strategies for Leveraging County Health Rankings Data to Improve Community Health
Apr. 19, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upcoming Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
6Apr2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
11Apr2023
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits.
Learn More
Contact
-
National Program Director of Technology Partnerships, NACo FSC(202) 942-4287