1. YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (ymhfa) USA
Presented by: Cat Raulerson, Ed.S, NCSP

2. Agenda Introductions About Florida AWARE Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Program
How to become a YMHFA First Aider
Q & A
Evaluation
Thank You!
Sandra to open

3. Ice-Breaker
Think of one adult that made a positive difference in your life as an adolescent?
What did they do that made a difference?
Cat: This was another idea- If you think sharing this individually would take to much time, we could have them write on post –its and stick it up or modify to write out words that symbolized what that adult did on a giant piece of poster paper- and then connect these contributions for support with what YMHFA teaches adults when working with youth??
Think about a fond memory in elementary school. Now think of one in middle school. Any?

4. The Mission of Florida AWARE
To build effective cross-system collaboration at the local and state levels that:
Increase awareness of mental health issues within our youth, families, schools and communities
Increase implementation of evidence-based culturally responsive mental health practices
Increase youth access to mental health services and supports within a multi-tiered framework
Cat:

5. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training Program
About Florida AWARE
Florida AWARE
Component 1 – Comprehensive and Integrated Service Delivery System to Improve Access to Mental Health Supports
Component 2 -
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training Program
Cat: Youth Mental Health First Aid is offered as part of the Florida AWARE, a State Education Agency “Now is the Time” Program, awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to the Florida Department of Education with a subagreement to the University of South Florida.
As a result, certain criteria must be met to meet grant/program goals

6. Component 1: Three SEA and LEA Goals
Goal 1:Increase awareness of mental health issues within our youth, families, schools and communities
Goal 2:Increase implementation of evidence-based culturally responsive mental health practices
Goal 3: Increase youth access to mental health services and supports within a data-based multi-tiered framework (e.g., ISF; Barrett, Eber, & Weist, 2013)
Cat: Connect to mission statement: same three goals, but use to explain structure of LEA and SEA objectives within each goal. SMT role in support of LEA objectives and then state scale up.

7. What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is the initial help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.
Not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or treatment
Sandra:
Help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis
Like CPR, Given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves
Not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or other professional treatment

8. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Origins in Australia and currently in 23 countries
Adult MHFA course for individuals 18 years of age and older; available in both Spanish and English
Youth MHFA is designed to teach caring adults how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health, an addictions challenge or is in crisis; available in both Spanish and English
Included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
Partnership with Maryland and Missouri State Governments
Sandra:
MHFA USA is managed Nationally through a partnership between National Council for Behavioral Health as well as Maryland and Missouri State Governments
2 of our state instructors received the Spanish credential

9. Why Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health problems are common
Stigma is associated with mental health problems
Professional help is not always on hand
Individuals with mental health problems often do not seek help
Many people are not well informed about mental health problems or do not know how to respond
Sandra: 1 in 5 Americans suffer from Mental Illness Each Year according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

10. Program Milestones Created in Australia in 2001
(University of Melbourne)
Currently in 20 countries
Piloted in the U.S. in 2008
Youth program Pilot in 2012
Sandra: Countries include: Scotland, China, Canada, Finland, Singapore, Ireland, Wales, England, Cambodia, Japan, South Africa, Thailand and New Zealand

11. Evidenced Effectiveness
Sandra:
Brief Background: program developed in Australia in Adapted for and managed in the US by National Council for Behavioral Health, Maryland Department of Mental Hygiene, and Missouri Department of Mental Health.
Mental Health First Aid is listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence Based programs and Practices
Published, peer reviewed studies about the course show that people who get trained in mental health first aid 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 even exhibit increased mental wellness themselves. Studies also show that the program reduces the social distance created by negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals with mental illnesses.

12. Evidenced Effectiveness
Four published randomized control trials and a qualitative study (in Australia)
Increases mental health literacy
Expands individuals’ knowledge of how to help someone in crisis
Connects individuals to needed services
Reduces stigma
Study on 33 US college campuses
Increased mental health literacy
Reduction in social distance (decreased stigma)
Sandra:

13. Evidenced Effectiveness
Kitchener BA, et al. Mental health first aid training in a workplace setting: A randomized and controlled trial [ISRCTNI ]. BMC Psychiatry. 2004;4(23):1-8.
Jorm AF, Kitchener BA, Fischer JA, Cvetkovski S. (2010). Mental health first aid training by e-learning: a randomized controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 44(12):
Speer, N., Eisenberg, D., Hahn, E., Brunwasser, S., & Xu, S. Effects of a peer-based gatekeeper training program on college mental health outcomes. [Manuscript in Preparation]
Sandra:

14. Vision
By 2020, Mental Health First Aid in the USA will be as common as CPR and First Aid
Sandra:

15. Youth MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID USA
Sandra: Youth Mental Health First Aid is offered as part of the Florida AWARE, a State Education Agency “Now is the Time” Program, awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to the Florida Department of Education with a subagreement to the University of South Florida.

16. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA
8-hour education program
Participants are introduced to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, ages 12-18
Emphasis on early intervention and teaches how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide therapy/counseling; instead, they learn a core five-step action plan: ALGEE
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

17. Spectrum of Mental Health Interventions
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

18. What Participants Learn
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
(YMHFA USA, 2015)

19. Program Roadmap: Part One
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
Adolescent Development & Mental Health Problems in Youth
What you may see:
Signs and Symptoms
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

20. Program Roadmap: Part Two
Using the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
In Non-Crisis Situations
In Crisis Situations
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

21. What You Might See…
Sandra:

22. Disorders You Might Learn About
Depressive/Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Disorders in which psychosis occurs
Substance use disorders
Eating disorders
ADHD and other disruptive behavior disorders
Cat: Emphasize: Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide therapy/counseling; instead, they learn a core five-step action plan: ALGEE
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

23. Activity Time! Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional activity
On a flip chart have groups draw out typical adolescence physically, mentally, socially and emotionally
Discuss after activity
Describe this is a sample activity

24. Typical Adolescent Development
Physical Changes
Changes in hormones
Increases in height and weight
Becoming more focused on physical concerns
Mental Changes
Developing more abstract thinking skills
Using logic and reason more in decision making
Developing own beliefs
Beginning to question authority
Cat:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

25. Typical Adolescent Development
Emotional Changes
Can be quick to change
Feel more intensely
Can lead to risk taking and impulsive behavior
Social Changes
May experiment with different levels of social and cultural identity
Peer influence increases
Notice sexual identity
Learn to manage relationships, including romantic relationships
Cat:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

26. Resiliency
Most youth pass through adolescence with relatively little difficulty despite all of these challenges.
When difficulties are encountered, youth tend to be quite resilient:
Thrive
Mature
Increase their competence
Cat:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

27. WHAT YOU MIGHT DO
Cat:

28. YMHFA Action Plan (YMHFA USA, 2012) Cat:
Briefly describe each action step – what the step entails, give an example.
Note that the plan is not necessarily done in order
Mention that this mnemonic is also the name of the mental health first aid mascot, Algee the koala.
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

29. Kevin Hines Mental Health First Aid
The film, developed for Youth Mental Health First Aid, features Kevin sharing his struggle with mental illness and substance use. In his junior year of high school, Kevin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
"In September 2000 Kevin became one of only 34 people to survive a suicide attempt by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge".  
Cat:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

30. Taking Care of the First Aider
Have I decided what I will do for self care?
Who can I debrief with now?
If I feel upset or distressed later, who can I call?
If I share with others, how do I ensure the confidentiality of the young person?
Do I or my family need a break?
Cat:

31. YMHFA USA Course Sample Agenda
Cat: Courses are done either full day – 8hr course + lunch and breaks
Or within 2 ½ day sessions – 4hrs each/day
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

32. Who can be a First Aider?
The program is aimed to teach Youth Mental Health First Aid to anyone who works with or helps adolescents and transition-age youth, ages 12-18
Family Members
Caregivers
Teachers
School Staff
Peers
Neighbors
Health and Human Service workers
Law enforcement
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

33. First Aider Growth By the Numbers
300,000
150,178
83,697
42,997
22,690
44,819 …and counting!
Sandra: Are YOU ready to be a First Aider?
6,159
1,305
16,531
20,307
40,700
66,481
4,854

34. ALGEE-OMETER ALGEE-OMETER More than 310,000 First Aiders in the US
Trained by more than 6,300 Instructors
More than 440,000 First Aiders in the US
Trained by more than 8,000 Instructors
ALGEE-OMETER
ALGEE-OMETER AK
3,388
(59) AK
2,217
(41) WA
6,485 (130) OR
4,945 (110) CA
34,378
(664) NV
1,107 (62) ID
898 (18) MT
1,215 (26) WY
470 (43) UT
1,554 (37) AZ
8,870
(149) CO
14,467 (248) NM
5,312 (94) TX
18,281 (555) OK
2,385 (61) KS
8,866 (106) NE
1,120 (53) SD
1,636 (17) ND
711 (17) MN
3,897
(45) IA
9,594 (103) MO
18,913
(237) AR
1,656
(15) LA
404
(10) MS
3,084
(70) AL
1,683
(53) GA
4,827
(107) FL
6,162
(187) SC
487 (13) TN WV
164
(11) OH
4,943
(170) IN
2,671
(91) IL
13,175
(227) KY
1,224 (48) MI
17,082 NY
6,949 (266) PA
27,188 (509) NC
8,199 (213) VA
8,129 (268) ME
1,190 WI
1,205
1,909 (39) WA
10,761 (166) OR
7,784 (119) CA
48,464
(805) NV
2,125 (76) ID
1,492 (23) MT
2,805 (49) WY
1,382 (48) UT
2,080 (42) AZ
12,556
(191) CO
21,232
(327) NM
7,176 (116) TX
30,350 (651) OK
3,564 (78) KS
12,409 (150) NE
2,187 (54) SD
2,042 (35) ND
1,415 (30) MN
6,193
(80) IA
13,005 (159) MO
24,025
(254) AR
1,914
(20) LA
1,217
(63) MS
3,877 (61) AL
2,697
(72) GA
7,584 (158)
12,968
(284) SC
1,101 (21) TN WV
836
(48) OH
10,083
(233) IN
4,759
(115) IL
17,976
(310) KY
3,040 (110) MI
25,534
(335) NY
13,324 (356) PA
41,619 (623) NC
14,660 (333) VA
15,046(389) ME
2,793
(21) WI
3,444
(109)
2,978 (76) VT
1,536 (35) NH
1,443 (67) MA
4,139 (132) RI
988 (20) CT
7,905 (128) NJ
7,347 (139) DE
260 (18) MD
17,728 (490) DC
3,800 (86)
0.25% or more
0.15%-0.249%
0.075%-0.149%
0.026%-0.074%
Less than 0.025%
Percentage OF
Population Trained
Percentage OF
Population Trained
GUAM
37 (2) FL
Reported through September 2015 HI
246 (9) PR
437 (4) PR
326 (2)

35. Audiences 12,600 Courses 30,000 Courses (through April 2014)
(through September 2015)
Sandra:
The course is appropriate for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn more about mental illnesses.
The majority of courses are taught to a general community audience, which includes participants from across the community.
Specific audiences include…

36. What Participants Receive
Certified First Aider Certificate
Valid for 3 years
Youth Mental Health First Aid Manual
List of Resources
Sandra:
(YMHFA USA, 2012)

37. Did you know?
99%
of participants who completed a Mental Health First Aid course say they would recommend it so someone else
Sandra:

38. Mental Health First Aid in the News
January 8, 2014 | by Jennie Grabel What has changed since Jan. 8, 2011, in Tucson and beyond? January 2, 2014 | by Patrick Skahill A "First-Aid" Response to Mental Illness December 27, 2013 | by Kathleen Megan After Newtown, Building A Stronger System Of Mental Health Services October 13, 2013 | by T. Rees Shapiro Mental Health Program Helps Fairfax County Teens Cope March 12, 2012 | by Kim Painter Classes Teach ‘First Aid' for Mental Health Crises October 18, 2011 | For Your Health
Sandra: NEWS QUOTE RESOURCES

39. What people are saying…
Attend a traditional first aid class, and you will learn checklists for assessing and responding to cuts, burns and strokes. [In Mental Health First Aid] students consider how they would respond to…a stranger having a panic attack, a friend expressing hopelessness, or a client distressed over an illness.
N.Y.U. has also added a mental health first aid training course. Employees who work in campus hot spots learn to identify mental illness symptoms as well as how to defuse a tense situation until help arrives. A hot spot is any place prone to frustrate, including the financial aid office, the bursar’s office, and the registrar’s office.
Sandra: NEWS QUOTE TEMPLATE
March 12, 2012
January 23, 2011

41. How can I become a YMHFA First Aider?
8 Hour YMHFA course
Contact a state instructor or the training coordinator for Florida AWARE
Note: some of our Instructor’s are credentialed in the Spanish speaking course
Sandra:

42. Audience Discussion
What are the benefits of this type of program for staff or families you work with?
Sandra: Could do a pair and share and then share out to the whole group here? Hopefully make connections in their work and generate interest for accessing the training.

43. Questions?
Both:

44. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA
To register for a course, or if you have questions, contact Natalie Romer, Ph.D, at or
Both:

45. Both: