Mental Health First Aid was created by Professor Anthony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor, and Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education. The program is auspiced at the ORYGEN Research Center at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Four detailed studies have been completed in Australia and nearly a dozen journal articles published on Mental Health First Aid’s impact on mental health literacy.  One trial of 301 randomized participants 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.  

To date, Mental Health First Aid has been replicated in England, Scotland, Finland, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Wales and Singapore. In the US, we truly value the supporting evidence and strive to achieve fidelity to the original Mental Health First Aid program developed in Australia. In the next ten years, we hope that Mental Health First Aid in the US will become as common as CPR and First Aid training. It has the potential to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy, and empower individuals — the benefits are limitless!

In order to become certified in Mental Health First Aid, you must attend a 12 hour course endorsed by the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare. In order to find out more about upcoming classes, simply click the "Help/Contact" button to the left of this page, or call (407) 831-2411 X1206.

Mark your calendar! Our next class will be:

November 4 & 5, 2010 (Thursday and Friday) 9AM to 4PM at our Fern Park office. Participants must register in advance. Cost is $200 per person which includes catered lunch, manuals and other supplies. Group discount rates are available. Contact Julie Emmer to enroll: jemmer@seminolecares.org or (407) 831-2411 X1206.

The following letter was received following a Mental Health First Aid training of professionals serving veterans:

I'm sorry to be so remiss in sending you both a note of thanks for the wonderful Mental Health Aid Training I attended last month.   God must have known I needed the training, because the Wednesday after class, I received 3 distinct and very different crisis calls where I was forced to use my newly acquired ALGEE skills.  Because of your training, I recognized the cry for help and I was able to listen, ask appropriate questions, and encourage and direct these clients to the assistance they needed. One vet is now in weekly mental health counseling, a caregiver and her warrior are now receiving individual and family counseling, and a military spouse now has a “buddy” in her area to offer in-person support. She has made positive life changes including marriage counseling, joining a gym (with her buddy) and keeping a journal of her feelings. 

Every week since training, I’ve received a minimum of two calls or visits from clients where I’ve utilized the ALGEE approach to assist with challenges far more overwhelming than employment assistance. I am much more adept at helping these clients because of the knowledge and techniques I learned during your training session. I know the calls will continue (and probably increase), but I don’t fear them anymore. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your training armed me with the knowledge and tools to be more effective in my job and to recognize, understand and react to immediate crises that arise as I assist my clients. I’ve also found I’m less judgmental, more understanding, and more willing to reach out to assist others I meet in my day-to-day world.