Many of us have had enough exposure to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training over the years that if someone needed CPR, it’s likely we could respond, regardless of the expiry date on that little white certification card. (If you’re not feeling comfortable with that statement, here’s a simple, one-minute video for hands-only CPR that can help.) In the U.S. alone, about 92,000 people are saved by CPR each year. Some are random strangers and some are loved ones; either way, we continue to train in and administer CPR because it saves lives.
Now let’s talk about what to do when a person’s mental health reaches a crisis state. In the wake of such tragedies as the Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut shootings, and with suicide deaths numbering around 30,000 per year in the U.S. (11 times that for attempted suicides), the conversation turns to prevention. We need to stop the tragedy from unfolding. But in the realm of mental illness, do you feel trained to identify the symptoms and equipped to do something to help? And what would the opportunity to have that kind of training mean to you?
Recently, a friend and former colleague of mine, Carol Gales, wrote that she’d completed the Mental Health First Aid course in her home state of Alaska. Although it was the first time I’d ever heard of this public education program, it began in Australia in 2000 and has now been replicated in 14 countries, including England, Scotland, Finland, Canada, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Ireland, Wales, and Singapore. The National Council on Behavioral Health brought it to the U.S. in 2008, and already, more than 100,000 people have been trained across the country.
Geared to help the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, research evidence is showing that those who trained in mental health first aid have greater confidence in providing help, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, more accord with health professionals about treatments and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. I asked Carol if she could contribute some thoughts on her experience with the course. It is with a measure of sadness and a great appreciation for her openness that I include Carol’s responses here.
You said in an earlier communication that up until this year, you doubt you would have been motivated to attend a class like this. If it’s not too personal, what prompted you to take the Mental Health First Aid course now?
One of my five sisters, a year younger than myself, ended her life in January after what was apparently a period of depression and then psychosis. I knew nothing of any of this until it was all over. When I learned that a mental health first aid course was coming to Nome, I decided to take two days off work to attend the class in hopes of learning more about what might have been going on with my sister, and to learn skills that might equip me to help a family member or friend in case any develop mental illness in the future.
Were there any parts of the course that were uncomfortable for you?
No. Because of my keen desire to understand what happened to my sister, I listened closely, almost greedily, to everything—especially when we were in the chapter on psychosis. I found information that will also be useful to me at work and in other parts of my life, since we all encounter mentally ill people fairly regularly.
What was the most surprising thing you learned?
I was surprised to learn how prevalent mental illness is, and that it can be successfully treated in many, many cases. I was surprised that we were encouraged to openly ask (in a calm, confident manner) a person with mental illness about whether they were contemplating suicide; I had thought that bringing up suicide might plant an idea in a person’s head, but it turns out that asking about it can bring some relief to the person contemplating suicide. The question can also bring out information that could help save the person’s life.
What do you think will be the most useful thing you learned?
We learned a 5-step mental health first aid action plan. The step of which I was least aware was “give encouragement and information”—meaning, share with the person how common mental health problems are, that there are effective treatments, and that the person CAN get through this difficult period. This can give the person some real hope and motivation to seek help. My sister might have benefited from more encouragement and information—though I also learned that people suffering psychosis are the most difficult to help because they often don’t even think they need help, or are very mistrustful of what kind of help they might get.
Would you recommend this class to others?
I would highly recommend this training to everyone. To start with, it seems that all who learn first aid/CPR should also learn mental health first aid—because we are more likely to encounter someone suffering a mental illness crisis than someone undergoing a heart attack. If knowledge of mental health and mental health first aid becomes common, it will help demystify–and thus remove some of the stigma surrounding–mental health issues. In that kind of world, it’s possible that my sister might have been more open to seeking help early, and that there might have been a different outcome for her.
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There is currently a bill in the U.S. Senate called the Mental Health First Aid Act of 2013. If passed, it would amend section 520J of the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for mental health first aid training programs in all of the states.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and stories and am grateful that you’re here. If this post resonates with you, please share it.
Laura and Carol, thank you so much for sharing this information. It’s one more level of fear and misunderstanding peeled away, and I appreciate your generosity and candor!
Thank you for your support, Molly.
I had no idea such classes were becoming available–so great. And about time that regular people have a chance to have mental health demystified and de-stigmatized. Do you know if WA state has similar programs?
That’s a very good question, Jagoda. I’ll have to check on the status of classes in Washington and get back to you!
Found the info, and yes, there are several course providers here in WA state: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/providers/?region=WA
Excellent information – really appreciate you sharing this. Recently an issue at work made me realize that I didn’t have all the skills and tools necessary when someone is in crisis with a mental health issue. As an HR person, this kind of training is almost more critical than other first aid – in that we have several staff who can deal with physical injuries. Really an important step forward.
Glad to have your input, Jo-Anne, especially since you’ve come up against this in real life in your workplace. Thank you!
Such classes are a great idea. The training along with CPR training should be standard. It’s so true that knowing more about mental health will aid in the process of demystifying the stigma surrounding mental illness. As a teacher I would often pick-up on issues students were having, but there wasn’t even a clear-cut protocol to follow in reporting such instances.
I agree, given the numbers of cases of mental illness (and from a business perspective, the cost of lost work days and productivity due to mental illness), it makes total sense to have MHFA as a standard training. I can’t think of any organizations or institutions where it wouldn’t be appropriate to teach this material. Thanks, Jeri.
What a simple but revolutionary idea – I’m sure would quickly break down the fear and stigma of mental illness if more people had even rudimentary knowledge of what to look out for and how to handle it. Thank you both for spreading the word.
Thank you for your comment, Debbie. I think part of the issue can be misinformation about mental illness, too. Misinformation can spread confusion and contribute to stigma, so to get the information from a certified instructor is so valuable.
I would love to take a class like this. Mental health issues are so prevalent and so misunderstood. Making this type of training available would save lives.
Yes! And I don’t know how much it costs, but I do remember that CPR classes were always offered at a very reasonable (and subsidized) price so that the training was universally accessible. Thanks for stopping by, Jean!
An idea long overdue. Such a program would lend courage and strength to those suffering and to those who want to help yet feel insecure in knowing what to do. I’m so sorry Carol, for your loss but appreciate both you and Laura for sharing this information.
Thank you, Kendall.
Thank you both so much for this contribution. Communication about the class is as powerful and important as the class itself. It was a pleasure to bring the class to Nome and to have you in it! We are off to Sitka, Soldotna, Bethel and Anchorage next to teach MHFA. 🙂
I’m so glad that Carol completed the circle and connected us. Thank you for all that you are doing, Jill!
This is very informative Laura. Is there a Mental Health First Aid chapter in Canada??
Yes, there is! Here’s the link to their site: http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx. Thank you for reading, Michelle.
This is amazing. I really hope something like this becomes available in the US and better yet, required, for High school students…maybe even Junior High.
There was a program I was invited to participate in in High School called Natural Helpers. Students and faculty who were elected by their peers and classmates as people who were frequently the sympathetic ear or shoulder to cry on, received training in how to amp up that support. It included information about how to help other in crisis, which was mostly, direct them to the proper support networks. I think the training made a difference. This would, too.
Fantastic idea, Marniy. It would be a great addition to a high school curriculum in any one of a number of classes. I just looked up Natural Helpers and was glad to see that it’s still available, at least in some places. And now knowing that you were selected for that program explains why I find you such a comfort when I’m having writing stress!
That’s awesome! I want to pitch a story on that!
That could be your tag line, Wendee! 🙂 Thanks for reading.
Yeah, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life saving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning. It is a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions that delivers oxygen and artificial circulation to a person whose heart has stopped.
Ah, yes, thank you for adding that important information, Ashley!
My husband just went to one of these. I think it is brilliant. So many people respond in their own fear and it makes people feel worse. This kind of training to the public at large could shift so many things! I would love to teach it, actually.
Awesome that your hubby went, and I know you’d be a fantastic teacher so I do hope you find a way to do that. Thanks, Jodi. xo
This is an excellent idea. I think we are moving in the right direction with mental health issues. I recently saw Patrick Kennedy (JFK was his uncle) talking about how we should treat the brain as any other organ in the body. If there is something wrong, get treatment. We wouldn’t tell someone with cancer to ‘tough it out.” Why do we have such a different take regarding mental health?
It’s very true, Kris. It’s the least understood organ, yes, but an organ like any other, just the same. Thanks for your comment.
This is really great . Having this kind of training accessible for everyone will surely help to save lives. Such a very good idea.
Thank you, Antonio. Your input is appreciated.
Thank you for this. In a time when mental illness is not taken nearly as seriously as it should be despite the tragedies occur almost daily, teaching is what the public needs.
And thank you for stopping by, Sandra. I think education and communication are the most powerful tools out there.