Workshop on Mental Health and Physiological First Aid in Academia and Healthcare

As part of our ongoing Crisis Intervention Team training initiatives, Union County held its 4th Mental Health First Aid certification course of 2025 at John H Stamler Police Academy with instructors from our very own team of Public Safety professionals. Union County is committed to offering First Responders the best training available to ensure the dignity and safety of our community and resiliency for our officers. MHFA certification courses are being offered on an ongoing basis for all Union County Public Safety. The mission of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is to train a critical mass of people in mental health literacy to improve understanding of mental health challenges, reduce stigma, and equip them with the skills to support someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. This involves teaching individuals to approach, assess, and assist people who may be developing a mental health problem or are in a crisis situation, and to connect them with appropriate professional help. We are grateful for the support and assistance of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in moving this initiative forward.

Arches Housing consider that Mental Health first aiders are as essential to the work place as general first aiders. ⭐ This week, a designated team member has taken part in Mental Health first aid training through MHFA England®(www.mhfaengland.org) under the vastly knowledgeable trainer, Debs Sheppard (She/Her) Mental Health Trainer, from Mindful Butterfly. ⭐ Mental Health first aid is important in a work place as early intervention can sometimes make all the difference and work colleagues are often the first to spot the signs. Having help available in a working environment can foster a more supportive and inclusive culture. ⭐ Our Mental Health first aiders are trained to the highest standard to assess and assist in any crisis, listen and communicate non-judgementally and guide individuals to the appropriate information and professional support where needed. This approach inevitably contributes to the overall health and safety of the workplace and Arches Housing are proud supporters of this. -Kirsty

Mental health first aid is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s becoming essential in every workplace. #MentalHealthFirstAid: More Vital Than Ever I recently joined a discussion with Senior Leadership Teams from Kent’s emergency services about how mental health first aid is becoming just as essential, if not more so, than physical first aid in today’s workplaces. The key takeaway was clear: “We need more Mental Health First Aiders in all employment settings, especially on the frontline.” This message truly resonates with me. For years, I’ve been deeply passionate about delivering mental health first aid training, sharing knowledge and practical insights that make a real difference. I’m currently preparing for my 5th annual training event for Kent Search And Rescue team members, a project I look forward to every year. Our sessions cover: - Understanding the mental health challenges faced by missing people we search for, and our own team members in their volunteer roles. - Exploring how our mental health evolves through life’s challenges, and learning strategies to maintain resilience and wellbeing. - Supporting individuals in #suicidalcrisis, how to #approach, #engage, and manage these difficult situations, including the realities of arriving too late. - Recognising what support is available after a difficult incident, including how #TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) #interventions can help. I dedicate time each day to shaping this event so that it’s #understandable, #relatable, #memorable, and #supportive for everyone who attends. Mental health first aid isn’t just a skill, it’s a responsibility we all share. = I’d love to hear from others: how is your organisation supporting mental health awareness and first aid training?

🌟 Project Spotlight: MI Children’s The MI Children’s Services Training team is responsible for delivering the state-required children and adolescent mental health services training curriculum. The training includes In-Home Intervention, Intensive Care Coordination, Targeted Case Management, and Therapeutic Mentoring for certified community mental health center staff in coordination with the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH). VitAL trainers work closely with personnel employed by ADMH to ensure training remains true to the fidelity of the models of the services specified by ADMH, and that standards for services are being taught accurately. These training courses are a prerequisite to service delivery within the continuum of care for children and adolescents across the state of Alabama. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJWd2Zf9

In the upcoming clinical placement, a mental health nursing student peer will spend two days a week participating in a spoke placement with the Multi-Faith Placement Team on Thursdays and Fridays. They will visit various faith centres, including mosques, churches, synagogues, and food hubs. As someone who is passionate about transcultural mental health care, I believe this is an excellent initiative. It will help future mental health nurses become more aware of socioeconomic issues, cultural stigmas, intergenerational trauma and factors, discrimination and the important role that faith plays in mental health and recovery. #TransculturalMentalHealthCare #MentalHealthNursing

📣 Empower Teens with Mental Health First Aid 🧠💬 Presented by Next Step Mental Health We’re proud to deliver the Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) program—an evidence-based, skills-building course designed specifically for young people aged 13–18. This program gives teens the tools to: ✔️ Recognise signs of mental health challenges in themselves and peers
✔️ Respond safely and effectively in a crisis or emerging issue
✔️ Connect friends with trusted adults and professional help
✔️ Reduce stigma and build a culture of care and early intervention 🎓 Delivered in schools & 🏡 community groups, our sessions are led by Joshua and Louise—and here’s why that matters: 🔹 Fresh Perspective: Teens often open up more to trained outsiders who aren’t part of their everyday environment
🔹 Unbiased Delivery: External facilitators bring professionalism, consistency, and neutrality
🔹 Safe Space: We create supportive environments where students feel heard without judgment
🔹 Expertise: Our team is trained specifically in youth mental health and group facilitation 💬 Mental health literacy saves lives. Let’s equip the next generation with the tools they need to look out for each other. 📍 Now booking for Term 4 and 2026
📩 info@nextstepmentalhealth.com.au 📞 Louise: 0429 088 514, Joshua: 0493 353 621

If anyone is interested in developing their skills in Mental Health Nursing, a quick thought based on my experience that might be helpful. 💬 Here are some tips for developing this skill:

Mental Health First Aid International is inviting educators to pilot a brand-new course — Mental Health First Aid for Education Professionals. 💻 A 3-hour, self-paced eLearning designed specifically for people working in education, featuring real stories from your peers. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Recognise signs of common mental health problems in adults ✅ Use a practical, evidence-based action plan ✅ Build confidence to support a colleague in need 🧠 Focused on helping adults in the education sector (not student care). 🎓 Complete the pilot and receive a certificate of completion, aligned with AITSL standards — and for now, it’s free! 👉 Register your interest to be part of this important initiative: https://lnkd.in/gB7P_ebf

Mental Health First Aid International is inviting educators to pilot a brand-new course — Mental Health First Aid for Education Professionals. 💻 A 3-hour, self-paced eLearning designed specifically for people working in education, featuring real stories from your peers. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Recognise signs of common mental health problems in adults ✅ Use a practical, evidence-based action plan ✅ Build confidence to support a colleague in need 🧠 Focused on helping adults in the education sector (not student care). 🎓 Complete the pilot and receive a certificate of completion, aligned with AITSL standards — and for now, it’s free! 👉 Register your interest to be part of this important initiative: https://lnkd.in/gB7P_ebf

📘 Just finished reading: Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the War Trauma Foundation and World Vision International. This guide profoundly highlights how humane, supportive, and practical care can make a difference in the lives of people experiencing crisis situations from natural disasters to violence and displacement. Key takeaways that resonated with me: 🌿 Look, Listen, Link the three action principles that form the heart of effective psychological first aid. 💬 The emphasis on safety, dignity, and rights of survivors as the foundation of all interventions. 🤝 The reminder that PFA is not professional counseling, but rather compassionate, grounded human connection during moments of chaos. 💪 The importance of self-care for helpers, recognizing that caring for others begins with caring for oneself. This guide is an essential resource for mental health professionals, social workers, first responders, and humanitarian volunteers, offering clear, practical strategies for responding to human suffering with empathy and respect. A must-read for anyone in the helping professions. 🌼 #PsychologicalFirstAid #MentalHealth #WHO #CrisisIntervention #TraumaCare #HumanitarianWork #SocialWork #PsychiatricSocialWork #Resilience #Wellbeing