Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour evidence-based interactive course that teaches participants a five-step action plan, ALGEE, to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or experiencing an emotional crisis:

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers to key questions like, “What do I do?” and, “Where can someone find help?”

Special attention and resources will focus on Mental Health First Aid as a support to existing prevention programming.

Facilitators

Nicole Schoenborn, MA, CPS, provides evaluation services for the South Southwest and Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Centers funded by SAMHSA. Nicole is dedicated to building the capacity of the behavioral health workforce to reduce stigma associated with substance use and mental health issues and make data-informed decisions to improve prevention programs. Prior to joining the PTTC Network, Nicole provided training and technical assistance for SAMSHA’s CAPT as a state/tribal liaison and was the Service to Science Lead for the Southwest Resource Team. For over 10 years, Nicole managed the evaluation and quality improvement services to community-based organizations, clinics, and prisons across Oklahoma working to prevent HIV and care for those living with the disease.  Nicole has a master’s in experimental psychology and is a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) through the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium.

Wanda West is the Product Development and Distance Learning Coordinator for SAMHSA's South Southwest and Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Centers. She ensures that the quality and management of training design and products/services utilize the latest instructional design techniques and technology and are closely aligned with the intended service outcome. 

Wanda has more than 25 years’ experience in prevention theory and practice at the community and state levels. Ms. West’s strengths in prevention are in workforce development, program development, community collaboration, policy development, law enforcement, and sustainability practices.