Adult Mental Health First Aid
The MHFA course will cover:
Risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use challenges,
Strategies for helping in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and
Where to turn for help
An interest form sign-up is available here. Two hours of pre-work are required for each registrant. Enrollment is limited to no more than three participants per hospital facility.
For more information or to ask questions about the training, contact Anni Crook at acrook@scha.org.
As part of its comprehensive effort to improve the healthcare work experience, WHY is offering a series of Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification trainings to SCHA member hospitals. Just as CPR provides skills needed to assist someone having a heart attack, MHFA equips hospital staff members to support those experiencing a mental health or substance use-related challenge or crisis.
MHFA is an interactive, skills-based training program that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Participants will gain skills and confidence needed to provide initial support to a colleague who’s struggling.
“I went into the first class with dread and thinking it was just another check in the box. However, the classes were amazing, and the lessons learned were priceless. This is a course that I highly recommend and one that I would take a second time to see what other nuggets I could gather.”
-Dawn Shephard, RN, Perinatal Nurse Manager, Aiken Regional Medical Center
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please use the following resources:
Crisis Hotline: Call or text 9-8-8
South Carolinda Department of Mental Health Mobile Crisis: 833-364-2274
SCDMH Mental Health Online Screening Tool: https://hope.connectsyou.org/
Mental Health America: Get Help webpage & resources