By Reginald Rearden
Editorial Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which was launched in 1949 by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), it is appropriate and fitting to have a robust discussion that focuses on the awareness and prevention of mental disorders as well as ways to eradicate the roadblocks of stigma and barriers to achieve mental wellness.
Mental wellness is as necessary as physical fitness to live a healthy life. To reach that highly desirable outcome, educating people on the realities of mental health challenges is crucial. By advocating for mental health training, barriers of ignorance and prejudice will be greatly decreased, and advocates can become allies for people with mental illness. Through educating others about how common mental illness is and calling out stigma or dehumanizing language can help make a significant difference.
To create a more supportive environment for those who have family, friends or co-workers suffering with illness, the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC) offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training for adults and teenagers. MHFA is an evidence-based, early-intervention course, administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which teaches a person how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.
The training is an eighthour course that provides skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem or experiencing a crisis. Once completion of the training, the participant is awarded a mental health first aid certificate valid for three years.
Research shows that one
in five Americans annually experiences mental health disorder. However, only 43 percent of adults receive care. Most adults do not seek help due to stigma and fear of rejection. Reducing stigma and barriers of mental health is a critical endeavor that requires a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders.
It is essential to create a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and speaking openly about their mental health challenges. By increasing public awareness on mental health issues, we can work towards breaking down the stigma and barriers that often surrounds these conditions through encouraging individuals to prioritize their mental wellbeing without fear, judgement, or discrimination.
Meanwhile, few people suffering mental illness feel they have someone dependable and trustworthy to call on. As a result, the interplay of stigma, limited knowledge, unexpected pain, and lack of access conspires to keep families and others from overcoming the unnecessary cycle of pain. It is imperative that more honest conversations about mental health are held.
BLEC is mission driven to strongly promote mental health awareness through Mental Health First Aid Trainings. There are three types of training which include the Adult MHFA for ages 18 and older; the Youth MHFA for adults who work with youth and teens; and Teen MHFA for teenagers aged 15-18. MHFA training is free for participants and is typically offered to teachers and paraprofessionals in schools, parents, community and church leaders, police, firefighters, and others.
All Mental Health First Aid Responders could have influence in the life of someone with a mental health disorder or a substance abuse challenge.
Your first aid actions can be a first step in someone’s recovery journey. In the mental health first aid course, you will not be trained in diagnosing mental disorders or substance use disorders. The information provided in the course is for Mental Health First Aid only. It is not intended to be and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional mental health advice.
According to the poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 35 percent of adults in the United States reported not feeling comfortable and 40 percent reported only feeling comfortable discussing mental health with loved ones and others. Some factors that impacted an individual’s level of comfort when discussing mental health included being uncertain about how to approach someone, determining what is appropriate to say, and overcoming the stigma.
After completing the MHFA Training, participants would have learned the preferred and effective method to recommend individuals for mental wellness. This is conducted through the MHFA Action Plan or the ALGEE approach which stands for the following: (1) approach and assess for suicide or harm and assist; (2) listen nonjudgmentally; (3) give reassurance and information; (4) encourage proper professional help; and (5) encourage self-help and other support strategies.
To strengthen the training process, BLEC is aided with both national and local resources to help mental health first aid responders learn how to help others in crisis.
For more information on the free Mental Health First Aid Training or reducing stigma and barriers, please contact Mr. Reginald Rearden, project coordinator, at (803) 744- 1961 or by email at rrearden@brookland.cc or mentalhealth@brookland.cc