Mental Health First Aid is a novel, evidence-based public education program designed to teach non-professional people a five-step process to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions, and help a person in crisis or who may be developing the signs and symptoms of mental illness. The groundbreaking training equips people to provide initial help until appropriate professional, peer or family support can be engaged. Participants also learn about risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction.

We have established a Project Team to oversee this very important project and had our “kick off” meeting on Thursday.  Team members are: Stephanie Uetrecht, Ali de la Trinidad, Cielo Mohapatra, Anne Rock, Kathy Bashor, Claudia Sloan and Bob Sorce. They’ll be working with T/RBHA representatives and peer/family member representatives to facilitate successful completion of Certified Instructor Trainings to train up to 60 new trainers in Arizona and will help oversee approximately 90 training programs for communities across the state by December 31, 2011.  The first Certified Instructor Training will take place Feb. 28 to March 4 in Tucson.

You can find out more about Mental Health First Aid online.