1 in 3 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness.  Mental Health First Aid, from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge. The curriculum includes; common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges, how to interact with a person in crisis, how to connect a person with help, and expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

In Nelson County, 29 individuals participated in the training and gained knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to a mental health challenge because of this program.  The program was facilitated by Katherine Jury, Extension Specialist for Family Health.  Of the 29 people trained, 13 completed program evaluations. Upon completion of the training, evaluations showed 100% of participants demonstrated the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to a variety of mental health challenges, and 100% described an increased comfortability with providing support to a person in crisis. 

After taking the course, one participant explained, “Learning the First Aid action plan was the most helpful part of the class.  I encounter many adults each school year that I’ve had conversations regarding their mental health, and I’ve never received training to handle those situations.  I will use the knowledge I learned in this course from now on.”