Mental Health First Aid
The team of health scientists on the PROMISE Initiative have identified mental health as a risk factor for opioid misuse. The Mississippi State University Extension Service offers Mental Health First Aid courses to adults in rural Mississippi. This 6- hour class equips individuals will the knowledge and skills to better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health crises and challenges, such as substance-use disorders.
Substance use disorders and mental health go hand-in-hand. Individuals with declining mental health often turn to prescription opioids or other substances to alleviate chronic conditions like depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental illness. Through the application of Mental Health First Aid, the PROMISE Team seeks to create expert noticers in communities around Mississippi to act as mental health gatekeepers.
MSU Extension offers both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid training. For more information about the training or scheduling a session, please contact Dr. Mary Nelson Robertson. If you would like to participate in a pre-scheduled training, please visit this link: https://reg.extension.msstate.edu/view/cal1a.aspx?ek=&ref=&aa=&sid1=&sid2=&as=81&wp=509&tz=&ms=&nav=&cc=&cat1=&cat2=&cat3=&aid=MSU&rf=&pn=. If you would like to schedule a training with your team, please contact Mrs. Bobbie Jo Bensaid at bbensaid@ext.msstate.edu.
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
The training teaches individuals how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older. Providing insight on how to provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care, if necessary.
The course teaches the 5-step ALGEE action plan for how to assist adults in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions. Being better trained to intervene in matter of mental health and point individuals toward healthy coping mechanisms can cut back on the amount of people who turn to opioid for relief.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
The youth training is designed to teach adults, who regularly interact with young people, including parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens, how to help adolescents (ages 12–18) experiencing a crisis or facing a mental health or addiction challenge.
The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches the 5-step ALGEE action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders.
If you would like to learn more about the Mental Health First Aid Program visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/.
News
RAYMOND, Miss. -- The rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers more hope to individuals dealing with mental-health-related distress. That population includes farmers and farm workers, who are among those most at risk for suicide and mental health distress.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, male agricultural workers have the fourth highest suicide rate among men in all industries.
LOUISVILLE, Miss. -- Jim McAdory wears many hats. On any given day, the Mississippi State University Extension Service agent fields calls from local cattle farmers, teaches kids about the importance of daily nutrition, and tests soil to diagnose front yard and garden harvest problems -- all before lunch.
Based in Winston County, McAdory recently gained an additional role: Mental Health First Aid instructor.
When confronted with the need to change or adapt to life’s circumstances, people cope with the resulting stress in many ways. David Buys, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the domino effect of multiple changes caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic may result in trauma.
“Usually trauma is a major life event that leads to intense stress reactions,” Buys said. “But we are seeing so many changes in such a short time it’s a struggle to manage our feelings and thoughts without falling into anxiety and depression.”
