Support Mental Health First Aid in YOUR Community

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The National Council will use your donation to provide training resources, support, and subsidies to certified instructors so they can offer the Mental Health First Aid program in your community. To find a certified instructor, click here. If you do not wish to specify a community, we will apply your donation to grow Mental Health First Aid in the areas of greatest need anywhere in the USA.

More about Mental Health First Aid

ALGEE the koala is the Mental Health First Aid mascot, representing the program's 5-step action plan:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help & other support strategies

You are more likely to encounter a person in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Mental disorders are more common than heart disease and cancer combined.
 
45.1 million adults in the United States (that’s nearly 20% of the population) have experienced mental illness in just one year. In 2009, 11 million adults in the U.S. suffered serious mental illness that substantially interfered with, or limited, one or more major life activities.

Too many Americans with mental illness are not seeking or getting the help they need and opportunities to prevent and intervene early are being missed. The consequences for individuals, families and communities are devastating. If left untreated, mental illness can result in disability, substance abuse, suicides, lost productivity, and family discord.

Mental Health First Aid USA is a groundbreaking public education program that equips the public to help persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders connect to care.

Mental Health First Aid is a highly interactive, 12-hour program offered to small groups and teaches:

• The prevalence of mental illnesses in the U.S. and their emotional and economic cost.
• The potential warning signs and risk factors for depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
• A 5-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect to professional care.
• Resources available to help someone with a mental health problem.

Mental Health First Aid has been rigorously evaluated and is proven to reduce stigma connected to mental illnesses.This program can reduce the damaging effects of mental and emotional disorders such as job loss, school dropouts, relationship issues, and drug and alcohol problems.

Who Can Be a Mental Health First Aider?

• Educators/School Administrators
• College/University Leaders
• Human Resources Professionals
• Members of Faith Communities
• Homeless Shelter Staff and Volunteers
• Nurses/Physician Assistants/Primary Care Workers
• Police/First Responders/Security Personnel
• Mental Health Authorities
• Policymakers
• Substance Abuse Professionals
• Social Workers
• Consumers and Family Members
• Caring Citizens

To learn more and find a Mental Health First Aid course in your community, visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org.

You Can Make a Difference

The approximate cost to train and certify one Mental Health First Aider is $180 (exact costs may vary by location and organization providing the training). To enable people in your community to be trained in Mental Health First Aid, DONATE NOW! Yoru contribution is tax-deductible.
 

Questions? Email Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or call 202.684.7457.