People from service organizations, churches and others just wanting to learn more got a lesson in mental health CPR.
The program developed in Australia in 2001 helps people understand what mental health illness is and how to recognize the warning signs of mental illness, so they can get help before there’s a crisis.
Mental illness affects each individual differently. Some self-mutilate. Some abuse drugs. Some consider suicide. Some die from their illness to escape the pain.
Sharon C. Engdahl has met with them all. And she believes that just as administering CPR at the onset of symptoms can prevent death, seeking early intervention can save the life of someone suffering from mental illness.
From Columbine to Sandy Hook Elementary School, the gunmen behind America’s worst school shootings have all had serious mental health issues. Thus, some Texas school districts have decided to take … Read more
Gun violence is clearly a national crisis. Horrific instances of mass violence get the most attention, but instances of single-shootings gun violence are much more common and just as deadly. … Read more
A mental health agency in Champaign is working to reduce the stigma around mental illness, which it says affects about a quarter of American adults every year. Community Elements Social … Read more
Chances are you know someone with mental illness. It could be a friend, family member, neighbor or acquaintance. Studies show that one in four people experience some kind of mental … Read more
Senator Eleanor Sobel, (D – Hollywood), is on a mission: ensuring that people can identify the signs of mental illness and substance abuse. Too often, a young girl will hide … Read more
In March, campus security will be the first district staff members to undergo training in “Mental Health First Aid,” a program offered through the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network that shows … Read more
Mental health again was a hot topic in this year’s General Assembly session following an incident involving a state senator’s son. Last year, Gus Deeds, the son of Bath County … Read more
Chicago Health Executives Forum (CHEF), the largest independent chapter of the American College of Health Executives (ACHE), has named Gina Sharp, MBA, FACHE, President, Linden Oaks at Edward, as the … Read more
Mental health first aid discourages gun violence, as it helps lay people identify mental illness in those persons that might exhibit potential stress issues. The front line of this new … Read more
Lawmakers are once again trying to establish a training program that would help teachers identify the signs of mental illness. The bill died last year but the bill’s sponsor likes … Read more
When the omnibus spending bill was signed into law by the president, most of the attention was – quite understandably – on the big-ticket items: defense, border security, health care … Read more
As a result of the Fiscal Year 2014 “Consolidated Appropriations Act” (P.L. 113-76), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will provide expanded help to meet the mental … Read more
Over the past year there have been numerous debates and hearings on Capitol Hill culminating in a series of legislative proposals that await further action or have completely stalled. Except … Read more
The new federal budget brings good news for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. When sequestration – the automatic spending cuts imposed last year – is taken into account, … Read more
As a result of the Fiscal Year 2014 “Consolidated Appropriations Act” (P.L. 113-76), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will provide expanded help to meet the mental … Read more
Mental illness is an illness that requires immediate treatment once a person is diagnosed. This diagnosis might happen earlier because mental illness now has its own first aid program. An … Read more
Power to the Purple Night seeks to inspire conversations about youth mental health and promote mental well-being. Mental health isn’t always easy to talk about but it’s definitely worth talking about … Read more
It’s a tale that has thrust Southeastern North Carolina in the national spotlight over the complicated relationship between the police and people who have mental illness. Advocates and law enforcement … Read more
Access Press recently reviewed last year’s headlines for the disability community. There were also some very important changes to the mental health system that should be noted. Link to Source
The map outlines the total number of people trained in Mental Health First Aid, by state, through December 2013. Figures in parentheses represent the number of instructors. States are color … Read more
Steele has worked with Orr on legislation such as a bill to fund mental-health first aid, and it’s useful for members of the minority party to have a member of the majority who will help them get their bills heard.
Life as a teen can be hard. It’s even harder when dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction or mental health issues. To help young friends, neighbors and family members who are … Read more
A plan to direct the Department of Children and Families to establish a mental health first aid training program unanimously passed its first Senate committee Tuesday. SB 574 would increase … Read more
A bill aimed at forestalling school shootings by teaching adults to detect disturbed teenagers and intervene before it’s too late has passed the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, … Read more
Illinois mental health agency Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) recently won the Mental Health First Aid Community Impact Award.
Working closely with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma School Security Institute has selected an 8-hour training course called “Mental Health First Aid for … Read more
FLINT, MI – How do you approach someone thought to be struggling with a mental illness? What are the right steps to take? Full Text
When someone is having a heart attack or choking, most people know what to do. When someone is having a mental-health crisis, there are few symptoms and even less knowledge … Read more
I’ve taken regular first aid, and I’ve used both, but certainly the opportunities to use Mental Health First Aid are much more abundant.
AltaPointe Health Systems is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses that can teach you how to spot the signs of someone experiencing a mental health crisis and the … Read more
As part of an ongoing effort to help improve public understanding of mental health issues in Connecticut, the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network and The Department of Psychiatry at The … Read more
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today delivered a floor speech on H.R. 3547, the omnibus funding agreement. Harkin is Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, … Read more
The House yesterday easily approved a $1 trillion omnibus budget bill, the result of intensive negotiations over the last month to fund government operations for the remainder of 2014 and … Read more
Today, the House passed the FY2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, an omnibus bill that provides discretionary funding for the entire federal government.
“This bill also includes millions of dollars for Mental Health First Aid. The $15 million investment will be devoted to new mental health training programs like those administered by the Bert Nash Community Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas.”
An idea championed by Lawrence’s Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center soon may be going nationwide. The $1.1 trillion budget bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives today includes $15 million in funding to nationally launch a mental health first aid program that was tested in Lawrence.
Once a month, a group of individuals from local organizations, schools and others in the community come together to discuss the mental wellness of Marion County. Link to Source
When someone is physically injured you grab the first aid kit. But what about when they are having a mental health crisis? Link to Source
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today announced the awardees of the Mental Health First Aid Grant. The grant will support two Michigan organizations who demonstrated interest and ability … Read more
Pima Community College and the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona will offer free training in how to help someone with a mental health problem later this month. Link to Source
The beginning of a new year is always a time for reflection on our achievements over the last twelve months and setting goals for what we hope to accomplish in … Read more
It’s been three years since the mass shooting in Tucson left six people dead and 13 others injured, including former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The shooting sparked a nationwide debate about gun control and mental illness.
Wednesday Barber joined the Arizona delegation and other friends and colleagues of Giffords to honor those who were injured and killed.
Barber also introduced the bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act, which will proved education to increase public awareness of mental illness symptoms and the services available to those in need.
Five months ago, Jacquelyn Jackson pulled in to a parking space six places away from the entrance of the Safeway north of Tucson where she had gone shopping Jan. 8, … Read more
Ron Barber introduced the bipartisan Mental Health First Aid Act, which will provide education to increase public awareness of mental illness symptoms.
Still reeling from the shock of a school shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 first-graders and six educators, the nation started 2013 with a renewed debate on gun control. But … Read more
“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into … Read more
“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into … Read more
“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into … Read more
