What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?
Mental Health First Aid is a nationwide campaign developed to help people recognize when someone is facing a mental health or substance use crisis and develop the confidence to be a source of support.
The ALGEE action plan
The course teaches the MHFA action plan (ALGEE), a five-step action plan that individuals can use to support someone who may be going through a tough time.
A - Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L - Listen non-judgmentally
G - Give reassurance and information
E - Encourage appropriate professional help
E - Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Why is it important?
Mental Health First Aid is a high-impact program, listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices that can truly make a difference on campus and in the community. Statistics show that 75% of mental illness develops before age 25. Training faculty, staff, students and community members in higher education settings how to recognize the symptoms of an emerging mental illness or to assist young adults in a mental health crisis can help further our mission of cultivating a culture and environment of health and well-being.