The second DC Mental Health First Aid Program community orientation session will be held at 9 am, Monday, July 18, 2011, in the Howard University College of Medicine Numa PG Adams Building, Room 2208, 520 W Street, NW. The program is free and open to the public.
Mental Health First Aid is the help given to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis until the crisis is resolved or appropriate professional treatment is received.
During the orientation session, participants will learn about the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid and the certification training course which starts in the Fall.
Just as CPR training helps a layperson with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, the Mental Health First Aid training course teaches a participant to recognize the signs of mental health problems or a crisis, and how to help. The training is intended for a wide range of audiences including friends and family of individuals with mental illness, faith communities, volunteer organizations, front line professionals (such as police officers, human resource directors and primary health care workers), or anyone interested in learning more about mental illness.
“Studies on Mental Health First Aid show that the program saves lives.” said Stephen T. Baron, Director of the Department of Mental Health. “It also trains non clinicians to better support people affected by mental illness, and it increases public understanding of the impact of mental illness on individuals and their families.”
Mental Health First Aid also helps build community resilience needed during a local emergency or castatrophic event.
To register for the orientation session on July 18, go to www.surveymonkey.com
The program is sponsored by the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health and the District of Columbia State Mental Health Planning Council. The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is conducting the community orientation sessions and the certification training program.