CMH

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is a program that teaches participants to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives individuals the skills they need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Most adults would know how to help if they saw someone having a heart attack—they would start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few would know how to respond if they saw someone having a panic attack or if they were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of substance use problems.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get to the help they may need. Mental Health First Aiders can save lives.

Mental Health First Aid Course Offerings at CMHA-CEI

CMHA-CEI offers two types of Mental Health First Aid: Adult and Youth.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is designed for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn how to help another adult who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis or problem.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or is in crisis.

Both adult and youth Mental Health First Aid courses are 8 hours long and feature:

• Hands-on activities and practice
• ALGEE, the 5-step action plan
• An overview of local mental health resources, support groups, and other help
• A resource manual packed with information on all topics covered in the course

Mr. Kevin Lavery with WKAR’s Current State radio program interviewed Mark Philips, a recovery specialist with CMHA-CEI, on 5/30/14 as a part of a series for Mental Health Awareness Month. Mark Phillips describes the goals of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training program, answers questions on signs and symptoms of youth mental health disorders, and reviews action steps trainees who complete this training may take to offer support and assistance to youth. He also discusses anticipated outcomes of this grant funded training program.

You can listen to the interview by clicking here for the original article on WKAR's website, or clicking play below.

What is QPR?

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an evidence-based emergency mental health intervention. QPR Gatekeeper training offered by the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties is a one-hour training that teaches participants to recognize the signs of suicide and the steps to getting a person to help.

For more information about this and other trainings offered by CMHA-CEI, or to schedule a training for your organization or group, contact the Prevention and Wellness Specialist at 517-887-5232 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.