mental health first aid & psychological first aid · 2018-06-07 · first aid and psychological...

Mental Health First Aid & Psychological First Aid (Program Overview)

Agenda

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╺ Differentiate between Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid

╺ Review the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE)

╺ Review the Psychological First Aid Core Actions ╺ Discuss utilization of Mental Health First Aid and

Psychological First Aid

Differentiate between MHFA and PFA

The key differentiator between the two programs is the setting in which these programs are applied. During this session participants will get a sample of each program in order to determine which program is best for their team or needs.

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You wanted to know about Psychological First Aid?

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Is there more?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

An evidence-informed modular approach to assist children, adolescents, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism.

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) • Based on post-trauma risk and resilience research evidence

• Applicable and practical (even in field locations)

• Appropriate for developmental levels and any age

• Culturally informed and flexible 6

Terrible Things Happen

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PFA Core Actions

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1 Contact and Engagement

2 Safety and Comfort

3 Stabilization

4 Information Gathering

5 Practical Assistance

6 Connection with Social Supports

7 Information on Coping

8 Linkage with Collaborative Services

PFA Core Actions 1. Contact and Engagement

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PFA Core Actions 2. Safety and Comfort

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PFA Core Actions 3. Stabilization

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PFA Core Actions 4. Information Gathering

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PFA Core Actions 5. Practical Assistance

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PFA Core Actions 6. Connection with Social Supports

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PFA Core Actions 7. Information on Coping

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PFA Core Actions 8. Linkage with Collaborative Services

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PFA Core Actions

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1 Contact and Engagement

2 Safety and Comfort

3 Stabilization

4 Information Gathering

5 Practical Assistance

6 Connection with Social Supports

7 Information on Coping

8 Linkage with Collaborative Services

What about Mental Health First Aid?

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Is there more?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

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MHFA examines:

╶ Depression and Anxiety

╶ Suicide

╶ Non suicidal self-injury

╶ Panic Attack

╶ Psychosis

╶ Substance use/misuse (overdose/withdraw)

╶ Eating disorders

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The Mental Health First Aid Action Plan:

ALGEE

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Assess for risk of suicide or harm

The

Action Plan

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Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

The

Action Plan

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Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

The

Action Plan

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Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

The

Action Plan

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Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Encourage self-help and other support strategies

Listen nonjudgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

The

Action Plan

More?

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Is there more?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

The 8-hr or 12‐hr PFA course trains

providers who may be embedded in a

variety of response units, such as first

responder teams, primary and emergency

health care teams, school crisis response

teams, faith based organizations, and other

disaster relief agencies and organizations.

(Contact your local mental health authority

or the HHSC Disaster Behavioral Health

office to locate course providers.)

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Take the online course too!

(Interested in asking me how to become a PFA trainer?)

You can be a PFA provider.

The 8‐hr course covers topics that include

anxiety, depression, psychosis, substance

use, and addictions.

It provides a blueprint in the form of an

action plan to provide comfort, promote

recovery, and help reduce distress

regardless of the cause.

(Contact your local mental health authority

to locate MHFA trainers. There are both

adults and youth courses.)

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(Interested in asking me how to become a MHFA trainer?)

You can be a Mental Health First Aider too.

Want to know more? And, thank you for your time today!

Dee Harrison, CEM, TEM Manager (we need to get her to tell us) Deedra.Harrison@hhsc.state.tx.us Laura Gehrig MAEM, TEM Emergency Management Specialist 512-762-2713 LMGehrig@gmail.com