Mental Health First Aid: An Introduction

1. Mental Health First Aid: An Introduction Rebecca Farley National Council for Behavioral Health November 19, 2013

2. @GASCB @MHFirstAidUSA @nationalcouncil@BeccaCFarley #housing #mentalhealth

3. The National Council: Serving and Leading • Represent 2,100 organizations that provide community mental health and substance abuse treatment services • National voice for legislation, regulations, policies, and practices that protect and expand access to effective mental health and addiction services • Exist in partnership with state associations and provider organizations

4. Afternoon calisthenics • Who is a healthcare provider or staff? • Who is a landlord or housing staff? • Any other social service providers? • Who has evercome in contact with a person who has mental health or substance use disorder?

5. U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year Only 41% of people with a mental illness use mental health services in any given year 3

6. Mental illness and homelessness 30 percent Proportion of people who are chronically homeless who have a mental health condition Source: SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center

7. Mental illness and homelessness 50 percent Proportion of people with mental illness who are chronically homeless and have a co-occurring substance use disorder Source: SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center

8. Among mothers who are homeless… • Over 90% have experienced physical or sexual abuse • Two-thirds have histories of domestic violence, and… • Three times the rate of PTSD • Twice the rate of drug/alcohol dependence • Half have experienced major depression Source: SAMHSA Homelessness Resource Center

9. What does recovery look like? “Recovery is the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.” “For some, this is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability.”  “For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms.”  — President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health vii

10. Recovery is possible… “We’ve seen what open warmth can do to transform the lives of people in the deepest despair. We’ve learned that people with mental illnesses and addictions can recover and live fulfilled lives in their communities… People don’t recover in isolation, they recover in a community.” –Linda Rosenberg, President & CEO, National Council for Behavioral Health

11. …but obstacles remain • Little new money for MH/SUD • Health reform promised increased access to care, but not all states participating • Community resources available, but gap between need and linkage to services

13. Mental Health First Aid • More than 130,000 trained • 3,975+ instructors • National policy and media attention • Partnership with Maryland and Missouri State Governments

14. What Is Mental Health First Aid? • Help offered to a person developing a mental health or substance abuse problem or experiencing a crisis • Given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves • Not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or treatment

15. Spectrum of Mental Health Interventions

16. How does Mental Health First Aid help? • MH/SUD conditions are common • Stigma and discrimination are associated with MH/SUD problems • Professional help is not always on hand • Individuals with MH/SUD conditions often do not seek help or know where to get help • Many people… • are not well informed about MH/SUD conditions • do not know how to respond • do not know what community resources are available

17. But specifically, how does it help in supported housing? • Provides tools for landlords and staff to: • Identify clients/tenants who may be experiencing difficulties due to a MH/SUD condition • Know how to engage constructively with those clients/tenants and de-escalate crisis situations • Know what resources and professional help are available in the community • Can help improve landlord/tenant relations and stable community living

18. What You Learn • Overview of mental health problems • Depressive/Mood disorders • Anxiety disorders • Disorders in which psychosis occurs • Substance use disorders • Eating disorders • Mental Health First Aid for crisis situations • Mental Health First Aid for non-crisis situations

19. MHFA Action Plan: ALGEE • Assess for risk of suicide or harm • Listen nonjudgmentally • Give reassurance and information • Encourage appropriate professional help • Encourage self-help and other support strategies

22. MHFA in Georgia • Held first MHFA class in Georgia in May 2010 • Number of certified MHFA instructors in GA: 101 • Number of certified Mental Health First Aiders in GA: 2,926 • Number of MHFA courses that have taken place in GA: 182

23. MHFA: Overview of Research and Evidence • Proven efficacy: Five published studies in Australia show MHFA saves lives, improves the mental health of individuals administering care andthose receiving it, expands knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, increases the services provided and reduces overall stigma by improving mental health literacy. https://www.mhfa.com.au/cms/evaluation-publications/ • Evidence-base: MHFA is now listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). NREPP is a searchable database of mental health and substance abuse interventions to help the public find programs and practices that may best meet their needs and learn how to implement them in their communities. http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=321 • National Efforts: In Alaska, Chicago, Colorado, Philadelphia, Kansas and other cities and states across the country, academic institutions and other organizations are partnering to evaluate the impact of MHFA in their communities.

24. Mental Health First Aid in the News October 10, 2011 | Morning Edition | by Kelly Weiss Mental First Aid: How To Help In An Emotional Crisis October 18, 2011 | Talk of the Nation | by Neal Conan Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace January 23, 2011 | by Michael Winerip Positives With Roots In Tragedy On Campus October 18, 2011 | For Your Health January 18, 2011 | by Rachel Saslow Shooting in Tucson Sparks Interest in ‘Mental Health First Aid' Courses March 12, 2012 | by Kim Painter Classes Teach ‘First Aid' for Mental Health Crises

25. Mental Health First Aid USA For More Information: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org info@mentalhealthfirstaid.org

26. Federal and State Policy Update

27. Mental Health First Aid Act (S. 157/H.R. 274) • $20 million in grants for MHFA training programs • Eligible entities: states, political subdivisions of states, tribes, tribal organizations, nonprofits • Grants will be distributed across geographical regions, with a focus on rural areas • 15 bipartisan Senate cosponsors; 46 bipartisan House cosponsors Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH Sen. Mark Begich, D-AK Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-KS Rep. Ron Barber, D-AZ

28. Mental Health Awareness & Improvement Act (S. 689) • Reauthorizes existing mental health programs (suicide prevention, child trauma, etc.) • Provides $20 million for “mental health awareness training” • Defined as evidence-based programs for recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness, providing education regarding treatment resources available in the community, and the safe de-escalation of crisis situations • 22 bipartisan cosponsors in Senate; no House companion bill

29. Federal budget • $15 million proposed for Youth Mental Health First Aid • Goal: reach 750,000 students, teachers, and other peoplewho work with youth • Budget unlikely to pass this year

31. Toolkit in Review Contents: • Building a Coalition of Support • Program Description and Research • Choosing the Mechanism for Change: Sample Language • Tools to Build Your Case: Sample Legislative Letters of Support, Media Outreach, One-Pagers, Talking Points, Public Speaking Tips • Testimonials

32. Vision By 2020, Mental Health First Aid in the USA will be as common as CPR and First Aid

33. Questions? • Rebecca Farley, MPHDirector, Policy and AdvocacyRebeccaF@thenationalcouncil.org • Website: www.thenationalcouncil.org • Blog: www.thenationalcouncil.org/capitol-connector/