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January is Mental Wellness Month – the perfect time to recharge and prioritize your mental health, while encouraging others to do the same. With studies showing that almost half of … Read more
For some, the start of the year is a prime opportunity to wipe the slate clean and set goals. For others, the thought of making New Year’s resolutions triggers a … Read more
As the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, let’s lift our mental health! With 29% of people having expected to make a mental health-related New Year’s resolution for 2023, you’re … Read more
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider was a turning point in Brianna Hauser’s life. Her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence shaped her perspective on the importance of Mental … Read more
Recovering from a substance use challenge, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, is a process with ups and downs. It can be a rollercoaster ride for the person in recovery as … Read more
Sydney Snow has taken Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) by storm. Since receiving her certification in July 2023, Sydney has swiftly transitioned from a new Instructor to a guiding light … Read more
Content Warning: This blog contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some readers. Topics discussed include sexual assault, grief, and references to 9/11. Reader discretion is advised. If you … Read more
Working retail during the holidays used to cause great stress to Andrew Smith. The increase in customer stress and traffic flow on the sales floor compounded operational difficulties creating a … Read more
Tragic events – from school shootings to natural disasters – can make us feel out of sorts and depressed afterward. Hope may seem lost, whether you’re directly or indirectly affected … Read more
Losing someone you love is never easy. The loss can take a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing as grief and memories flood the mind. Feelings can range from sadness … Read more
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, about 6% of people have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But PTSD affects more than military members and veterans. Just one event … Read more
The American Cancer Society uses the term “survivor” to refer to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, no matter where they are in the course of the disease. Being … Read more
I first heard about teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) late summer of 2018. The National Council was piloting the program across the country. As a manager at North Texas … Read more
It’s World Mental Health Day! Each year, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) joins the World Health Organization to raise awareness about mental health around the world and support those experiencing … Read more
Life has a rhythm. Some seasons are busier than others, some are quieter and more predictable. Workloads ebb and flow. Relationships evolve. And then there are the curveballs thrown our … Read more
With 14 years of experience in the corrections industry, plus family in the field, Kristen Thompson has a bead on what goes on inside correctional facilities. Thompson, who is a … Read more
Mental Health First Aid USA only offers trainings to employees based in the United States at this time. Working in the retail industry is downright tough. It can be mentally … Read more
Do your employees know what to do or say if a coworker seems to be struggling with mental health challenges? Consider this: 40% of employees have reported that their jobs … Read more
Being part of this has been awesome. As a trainer, I get to help people really see the importance of Youth Mental Health First Aid. I am so passionate about … Read more
Our primary goal as educators is to help our kids learn. However, sometimes there may be something going on in their life that interferes with their ability to learn. Youth … Read more
My district has over 8,000 employees, so you can imagine it was a lot of work to meet the goal of training 80% of them in Youth Mental Health First … Read more
Adults often joke about the moodiness and unpredictable nature of teenagers. As teens go through puberty, spend more time with friends and less with family and discover their own identities, … Read more
The first day of school is a welcome reprieve for many parents. Juggling childcare, work and summer activities can be flat-out exhausting! But, while parents may look forward to school-year … Read more
A staggering 90% of police officers surveyed reported stigma as a barrier to seeking mental health help. Some of that stigma stems from what they, and other people in public … Read more
Our nation has a youth mental health crisis. One in six youth and adolescents will experience a mental health condition in any given time, nearly half of teens (44%) report … Read more
When you have substance use challenges, navigating summertime social gatherings can be difficult. It can be hard to strike the balance between wanting to spend time with friends and family … Read more
Older Adults experience mental health challenges about the same rate as the general public. According to the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, one in four older adults has a mental … Read more
More than 4.5 million people have been trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). That is cause for celebration! Of course, we are thrilled that our community of First Aiders … Read more
The challenges people who live in rural communities are vastly different than those who live in urban areas. What is gained in wide, open spaces is traded for convenience. Trips … Read more
The “Sunday Scaries.” You know that feeling: tomorrow is Monday, another week of work, and your relaxation time is over. It can feel like a pit in your stomach, maybe … Read more
Anthony Campbell admits he used to be a “yeller.” Whether it was the way he was raised or his military background that instilled the behavior — probably a bit of … Read more
On the East Coast, the place where firefighters reside is called a firehouse. On the West Coast, it’s called a fire station. Misusing the terms — which may seem insignificant … Read more
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Trident Seafoods is the largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting company in North America. Trident Seafoods is headquartered in Seattle, WA, with global operations in … Read more
Taking charge of your mental health doesn’t have to mean drastic lifestyle changes. In fact, the smaller the shift, the more likely it is you’ll do it. Big, lofty goals … Read more
I always thought I knew the best way to have a conversation with people. I have three kids, so I thought I knew how to communicate well. But in 2017, … Read more
I started my mental health journey when I was hired at a Centerstone of Illinois clinic as a residential support specialist in a group home setting. This felt like the … Read more
I work at an alternative school for middle and high school students. To say my training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is helpful would be an understatement. It’s … Read more
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2023) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Los Angeles, California, on April … Read more
Caring for aging parents while raising a family can be challenging. As their child, you feel pressure to care for aging parents, and as a parent, you feel the obligation … Read more
One more email. One more text. One more date on the calendar. It’s shocking how one more can quickly become 20 more things to do. Soon, it seems you can’t … Read more
How teenagers manage and use social media is a complicated topic. Sure, social media can be a valuable tool and resource. Many times, it’s where teenagers express themselves, develop their … Read more
Having a serious conversation about mental health with a young person can be challenging, to say the least. How do you start the conversation? What should you bring up? How … Read more
When Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) joined forces with kate spade new york for a second time, hope took center stage. The latest campaign with the MHFA Impact Network partner … Read more
As rates of burnout and mental exhaustion hit record levels, improving mental wellbeing in the workplace is a major focus for employers this year. As an employer, this may not … Read more
Conversations around weight, food and physical appearance can be complicated and sensitive. This can make it challenging to talk to someone who you think may have an eating disorder. While … Read more
It’s one thing to hear or read online about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and feel a small flicker of inspiration inside you as an Instructor or Coordinator. It’s a … Read more
Media Contact Sophia Majlessi Media@TheNationalCouncil.org 202-621-1631 Board members indicate strong support for resources that help teens identify and respond to mental health or substance use challenges, regardless of political orientation … Read more
No matter who you are or what your background is, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t appreciate a fresh start. A reset. A clean slate. And even though … Read more
