Mental Health First Aid

I recently became Mental Health First Aid certified. Why, you might ask? Well, I have family members that live with anxiety and depression, and I have also seen mental health challenges and crises in my students. So, when I saw the opportunity for the class, I signed up to learn more.

Before I go any further, here's a disclaimer. While I am certified, I am not an expert on this program or mental illness overall. This blog post will share just a bit of the information that I learned. I strongly encourage you to check out the resources shared here and search for Mental Health First Aid training programs in your area. The time in training will be time well-spent.

Mental Health and Illness

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trains individuals to provide immediate help to those suffering from mental health challenges and crises. Born in 2001 in Australia, this initiative has spread to several countries and is gaining traction in the United States.

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, it is estimated that 1 in 5 adults have a mental illness. The most common is anxiety, followed by depression and substance abuse. Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, with many experiencing both illnesses at various times. Mental illness has many potential causes, from genetic to biological, like chronic pain, circumstances like a recent move, and traumatic experiences.

There's increasing awareness of the importance of mental health in our society. The pandemic has shown us that isolation can affect mental health negatively and that there is a need for care to be available. Overdose deaths by those suffering from substance abuse rose dramatically in the first few months of the pandemic due to changing behaviors. Mental health discussions also come to the forefront when mass shootings occur, such as the recent ones in Buffalo, NY, Uvalde, TX, and Tulsa, OK. While those who perpetrate violent acts usually have a mental illness, those with mental illness are rarely violent towards others; instead, they suffer alone and in silence. 

Recognizing Mental Illness and Offering Support

Seventy-five percent (75%) of all mental illnesses begin by age 24. As instructors working with young adults, we may be the first to recognize the signs and symptoms of a developing mental illness. What will you see from someone who may be at the start of a mental illness? Often it's what you don't see. You may have a student who's often absent from class, not logging onto the class website, and not turning in assignments. Those with mental illness will usually start withdrawing from their normal activities, including classes.

When you have a student who isn’t engaged in class, the first step is to approach the student and express concern. I’ve sent many students emails that begin with the phrase, “I’ve noticed you’ve missed a couple of assignments” or “I’ve noticed you missed class.” Then I leave the door open to a conversation about class and life, using phrases like “Is everything all right?” or “Please let me know how things are going and if there is anything I can do to help.” This personal email almost always elicits a prompt response. Often the student will apologize for missing class or request additional time for assignments. But sometimes, a student admits that they are overwhelmed or struggling.

When students admit they're struggling, know that there's likely been a lot going on that we, as instructors, have not seen. A student may be experiencing temporary stress, but it may also be the start of something more profound. Because we've expressed concern, the student may see you as a possible lifeline. Mental Health First Aid training can help you with what to do next.

The biggest thing you can do to help a struggling student is to listen non-judgmentally. Remember to stay silent or ask questions to allow and encourage the student to talk with you. Yes, this takes time, but it’s critical to establish a connection, find out what’s going on, and ultimately help the student find help. Sometimes just taking the time to listen will help the student to work out their problems. But sometimes, you may need to provide information, such as how to access the campus counseling center.

If you think a student needs immediate help, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is the place to start (1-800-273-TALK). Beginning on July 16, 2022, you'll be able to dial 988. This is the new nationwide number to help those experiencing mental health emergencies. It is akin to the national 911 system but focuses on suicide and mental health crises. The new 988 number is the culmination of two years of work after legislation was passed in 2020.

Self-Care

In the Mental Health First Aid USA Manual, after sharing a bit about the program, chapter three focuses on "Self-care for the mental health first aider." While it's a short chapter, it's an excellent reminder that you need to take care of yourself before you can care for others.

Numerous books, articles, websites, and other resources describe how to engage in self-care. As someone who was in the life science field, I focus my self-care on three basic biological needs: eat, sleep, and move. If I lack one of these three basic needs, I am incapable of taking care of anyone else. When a family member was struggling with depression, those were the day's goals: get out of bed, eat something, and move your body.

When your basic biological needs are met, you can work on other aspects of self-care. One of the most important is social relationships. It’s not just the number or type of social relationships but also the quality that matters. Those with mental illness will often withdraw from others, but social interactions can help manage the illness. It can become a vicious cycle resulting in isolation and worsening of symptoms until there is a mental crisis.

This is why I recommend all instructors learn more about Mental Health First Aid. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a mental challenge and then reaching out could be just the lifeline your student needs.

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The Mental Health First Aid USA Manual is published by the National Council for Behavioral Health. (2020). ISBN 978-0-9600905-0-1.

I want to thank Becky Ogrodny of Empower Mental Health for teaching me about Mental Health First Aid and the new 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.