Prior to the COVID crisis, there was already a shortage of mental health resources. COVID has dramatically increased the need for mental health support, and the Church and community can build capacity of the layers of support that are needed before professional, licensed help is required. These layers include (1) individuals equipped to assess and deal with their own mental health, (2) that of friends/family, and (3) that of staff/members of a church, school, nonprofit, business, another group, and/or the community.
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training course (including 2 hours of pre-work and 6 hours of interactive virtual classroom teaching) designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as CPR training helps a layperson without medical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a layperson assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
The evidence behind Mental Health First Aid demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis situation and builds mental health literacy — helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. Specifically, studies found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes.
