Donna Dickman trained workers from various companies in Mental Health First Aid techniques.
Dean Brown | The Lima News
LIMA — When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was revived on the football field using CPR the national attention for CPR training skyrocketed. What will have to happen to give mental health first aid (MHFA) a similar boost?
Lima has 9 trainers, but getting people to attend training has been a problem. Trainings are offered to the general public. There were two sessions scheduled in January. One class was cancelled and the other only had 5 people attend. Bradfield Center organizes one about every six months. They actively recruit a good number of participants. The Lima Public Library wants to schedule one in March. There is a veterans module that is offered once a year. But again, getting people to attend is hard.
Donna Dickman of Prevention Awareness Support Services said, “The best audiences would be people that already have some struggles in their life with themselves or family members who want to learn more.”
MHFA is designed to teach people how to provide initial support and assistance to someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis or struggling with a mental health problem. The goal of MHFA is to help people develop the skills and knowledge they need to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems — including depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use disorders and suicidal behavior — to provide initial support and to connect individuals with professional help if necessary.
Mental health issues affect job performance and productivity, engagement with one’s work, communication with coworkers, physical capabilities and daily functioning. MHFA teaches participants to provide initial assistance to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, with the goal of preventing the problem from becoming worse and helping the individual get the support they need. MHFA uses the acronym AGLEE: A-assess for risk, L-listen non-judgmentally; G-give reassurance and information, E-encourage professional help, and E-encourage self help.
MHFA is intended for anyone who wants to learn how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, including family members, friends, coworkers, teachers and healthcare providers. The training is typically a 12-hour course that includes interactive activities, group discussions and case studies. Upon completion of the training, participants receive a certification that is valid for three years.
Reach Dean Brown ay 567-242-0409
