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

In evaluations from the first two sessions,  

  • 100% of participants said they would recommend the training to others; 

  • 100% of participants said what they learned in the training was relevant to their job; 

  •  More than half reported having contact with someone experiencing mental health or substance use issues in the workplace on a weekly or more frequent basis.

The next training session is TBD. 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 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.

“The MHFA Certification builds a supportive and compassionate network, helping to ensure our SC hospitals are fostering a culture of mental wellbeing by providing necessary and valuable support to care team members. Mental Health First-Aiders come away with a better understanding of how to care for their own wellbeing at work as well as actionable strategies to respond to and support others during challenging times.”
-Jen Wright, SCHA’s Director of Workforce Experience

 

“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