The Association of Healthcare Social Workers—DC Metro

Presents:

Mental Health First Aid

January 22, 2022, 8:30am-2pm, Virtually via Zoom

7.5 CEUs (5.5-category I & 2-category II) *

Presenters: Marcie Gibbons, LCSW-C & Julie Flaegle, Director of Willow Counseling Center

Course requirements for MHFA certificate AND CEUs:

2 hours of online pre-course homework

5.5 hours of virtual in-person training

Completion of evaluation forms

Course includes:

Pre-course materials via online videos & guides

7.5 CEUs (5.5-category I & 2-category II) * from AHSWMDC

Mental Health First Aid Certificate (must complete all 7.5 hours)

Cost: $75/person

Course limited to 25 participants

Registration closes January 10, 2022 (to allow for distribution of materials and time

for pre-course homework)

Why Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that can help communities understand mental illnesses, seek timely intervention, and save lives. The symptoms of mental illness can be difficult to detect — even when friends and family of someone who appears to be developing mental illness can tell that something is amiss, they may not know how to intervene or direct the person to proper treatment – which means that all too often, those in need of mental health services do not get them until it is too late. As a society, we largely remain ignorant about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and we ignore our role as responsible community members to help people experiencing these illnesses.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is a groundbreaking public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Mental Health First Aid is a live training course, which uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect persons to professional, peer and social supports as well as self-help resources.

Mental Health First Aid allows for early detection and intervention by teaching participants about the signs and symptoms of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and addictions. The program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like “What can I do?” and “Where can someone find mental health help?” Participants are introduced to local mental health professionals and resources, national organizations, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. Mental Health First Aid demystifies mental illness and gives participants the capacity to obtain, process, and understand the health information and services needed to make appropriate decisions and seek care.

www.thenationalcouncil.org/training-courses/mental-health-first-aid/

*Association of Healthcare Social Workers (AHSWDC) is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education learning activities and maintains full responsibility for this program. This live, interactive webinar training qualifies for 5.5 Category I continuing education units & 2 Category II continuing education units.