Mental Health 'First Aid. Class At Gulf Coast Medical Center

The Gulf Coast Medical Center and Baycare Behavioral Health will be holding a day long class for teachers, law enforcement, others interested, and medical professionals June 22 in Fort Myers, Fl. There is no fee and certification and professional credit units are available.

Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans will develop a mental illness during their lifetime? Like CPR Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. You can help someone in emotional distress by becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider. Led by a certified instructor, the Mental Health First Aid training class will teach you about:

 Depression and mood disorders
 Anxiety disorders
 Trauma
 Substance abuse disorders
 Psychosis

When you have concluded the course, you should be able to apply the Mental Health First Aid action plan, which includes assessing for risk of suicide or harm, listening nonjudgmentally, giving reassurance and information, encouraging appropriate professional help, and encouraging self-help and other strategies. You will learn to apply these steps in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing:
 Panic attacks
 Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
 Non-suicidal self-injury
 Acute psychosis (e.g., hallucinations or delusions)
 Overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use
 Reaction to a traumatic event

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to role play scenarios and practice applying these skills in a real-life situation.

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)

Contact Christopher.Yarnold@baycare.org to obtain a registration form.