Press Releases: Mental Health First Aid Arrives in the U.S.
Media Advisory
Contact Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or 301.984.6200, ext. 228
The nation’s first program to train the public on how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis will be unveiled Feb. 4-8 in Palm Springs, CA. Mental Health First Aid, brought to the U.S. from Australia by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council), is a 12-hour certification course designed to give laypersons the tools to respond to psychiatric emergencies until professional help arrives, and to improve people’s mental health literacy.
The February training will certify mental health professionals and administrators from six states to become trainers. Once certified, the trainers will conduct Mental Health First Aid certification courses in May in their respective states. The states include Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Rhode Island, Kansas and Florida.
“We want the training to teach people both how to recognize waning signs and how to get the situation under control until professional help arrives,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. “This program has the potential to become as common as CPR in the near future and will help people better understand mental illness.”
WHO: National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
WHAT: Mental Health First Aid train the trainer
WHERE: Palm Springs, CA.
WHEN: February 4-8, 2008
WHY: To prepare trainers to train the public on how to help
someone experiencing a mental health crisis
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,400 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.
