Adult Mental Health First Aid Programs Offered

Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews appropriate supports. This course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect people to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care. The program also teaches common risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia.

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First aiders do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like, “What do I do?” and “Where can someone find help?” All trainees receive a program manual to complement the course material.

The Fayette County Extension Office will be offering two opportunities to participate in this informative program. First is a face-to-face event on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fayette County Agricultural Building, Room 104, La Grange.

The second opportunity will be a virtual program on Saturday, Nov. 7. Participants will complete two hours of an online pre-program before the Saturday class. On Saturday, Nov. 7 the participants will meet virtually with the Mental Health First Aid instructors from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The program is being offered in collaboration with Rebuild Texas Fund. There is no cost for either event, but class sizes are limited. Deadline for the virtual program registration is Monday. Oct. 26. To register or for further information, contact the Fayette County Extension Office at (979) 968-5831.