What does depression look like? Or anxiety? What would you say to a person you know who says they are thinking about suicide? How can you help in a panic attack?

You many know CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. You can call 911. But can you administer first aid in a mental health crisis?

Mental Health First Aid: Is an 8-hour training course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health crisis. People across the country are trained in Mental Health First Aid. You will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and addictions. The course is delivered by certified Mental Health First Aid USA instructors who complete a 5-day training and meet certification requirements.

Course Types: The Adult Mental Health First Aid training is appropriate for anyone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern. The course is available in English and Spanish.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

– Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
– Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use.
– A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
– Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Mental Health First Aid is listed in the substance abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Studies show that individuals trained in the program increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions; can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction; increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress; and show reduced social distance to individuals with mental illnesses.

4 Reasons to become a Mental Health First Aider:
– To be prepared: Just as you learn in CPR, learn how to help in a mental health crisis.
– Mental Illnesses are common: 1 in 5 adults in any given year.
– You care: be there for a fried, family member, or colleague.
– You can help: People with mental illnesses often suffer alone

Who takes the Course? The course helps anyone who wants to learn how to provide initial help to someone who may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or in crisis. The course gives people tools to help friends, family members, colleagues, or others in their community.

– College/university leaders, Educators/schools administrators, Human resources professionals.
– Nurses/physician assistants/primary care workers, public safety personnel, members of faith.
– Communities, social service staff and volunteers, policymakers, substance abuse professionals, and social workers.

Licenses eligible for 8 CEUs include: LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, and LMFT.

March 10 & 24
Arturo Velasquez Institute
2800 S Western
Chicago, IL 60608

March 26
Association House of Chicago
1116 N. Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60651