Sidebar

English

Mental Health First Aid Awareness

As part of Mental Health First Aid Awareness, the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA) is making available FREE training courses through September designed to teach people methods of assisting someone who may be in the early stages of developing a mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis. DWMHA received a grant through the Michigan Department of Community Mental Health (MDCH) to support and educate about the importance of Mental Health First Aid, which ties closely with Governor Snyder’s call for attention to the improvement of the mental health system in Michigan. “Mental Health First Aid training is an evidence-based and internationally recognized program that will do just that – greatly increase the understanding of mental health issues, and in turn, improve the recognition and appropriate treatment of mental health issues for our residents” according to James K. Haveman, Director of the MDCH.

The courses DWMHA provides are useful in situations where it becomes apparent to others that someone is developing a serious mental challenge or it can provide useful information on how to assist someone who has a history of a mental health disorder or longer-term mental health challenge.

“This is an effort to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy, and greatly empower the individuals serviced throughout our region”, said Tom Watkins, President and CEO of DWMHA. Mental Health First Aid will give people the knowledge of the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders and self-injury. It will also give them the skills, resources and knowledge to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions, and help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care.