This past October a major milestone was hit – 4 million individuals have been trained in Mental Health First Aid across our country.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges. This program provides participants with the skills to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health crises. Trainees learn practical techniques and universal language to foster compassionate conversations. MHFA equips individuals to open conversations that lower stigma and increase access to care. Wellness & Prevention Center (WPC) is part of the nationwide effort to certify individuals ages 15 and older in south Orange County.
In 2021, Wellness & Prevention Center was awarded 5 years of funding through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide mental health awareness training in the community. WPC has used this funding to train 1,298 adults in Mental Health First Aid and 335 teens in teenMHFA increasing mental health literacy – the knowledge and understanding of mental health, mental illness, and the resources available.
WPC thanks Capistrano Unified School District for making the commitment to train all adults on middle school campuses in the district. Certifying the administration, teachers, and support staff in youth Mental Health First Aid has helped the adults on campus have a better understanding of the signs of a young person with mental health distress in order to intervene early and ensure a healthier outcome.
WPC also appreciates San Clemente High School teachers and administration for allowing all 9th grade students to participate in teen Mental Health First Aid. These teens will all be certified by the end of this school year, creating a cohort of students who have the skills to promote mental wellness for themselves and their peers.
By increasing mental health literacy, we empower individuals to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health issues, reduce stigma and encourage help seeking behavior. Just like physical health first aid and CPR, community awareness and knowledge keeps individuals safe. Certified MHFA individuals (teens and adults) save lives with their skills in assessing when someone is in crisis and how to get this person to a safe place for help.
By prioritizing mental health literacy and utilizing structured programs like MHFA, we can create a more informed society, capable of addressing mental health challenges with confidence and compassion. If you would like to learn more about how to be certified in mental health first aid, email or call WPC at info@wpc-oc.org 949-649-9460
For tips on talking with the young people in your life visit wpc-oc.org/the-talk/ or wpc-oc.org/la-charla/ for Spanish speakers.
If you or someone you know is facing mental health or substance use challenges please access these resources:
988 – mental health crisis text and call line
https://www.namioc.org/oc-warmline 714-991-6412 – 24 hours per day text or call
thetrevorproject.org
neverabother.org
Teenline.org – text TEEN to 839863
solunaapp.com – teen mental health support app, must live in California
OCnavigator.org – all ages