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 Mrs. Bobbie Jo Bensaid. 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=
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/.
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A Mississippi State University Extension instructor has been selected to a national Extension Foundation committee focused on improving mental health.
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Like other farms, Jenkins’ family-run operation is a delicate balancing act of making the right decisions and dealing with issues that are beyond a farmer’s control, including weather and markets. It’s a high-pressure business.
Success Stories
In Rolling Fork, the Mississippi town in Sharkey County devastated by a twister on March 24, 2023, despair was not an option.
When Kathryn Reed saw that young people in her community needed more opportunities to participate in activities to help them grow spiritually and personally, she took action.
“We have a lot of activities for adults in our community, but there was nothing for our pre-teens and teenagers,” explains Kathryn. “We are losing them when they get to that age.”