mental health first aid & psychological first aid...psychological first aid •based on...

Mental Health First Aid & Psychological First Aid

Courses Overview

Agenda

• Differentiate between Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• Review the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)

• Review the PFA Core Actions

• Discuss use of MHFA and PFA

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Differentiate Between MHFA and PFA

• The key difference 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?

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Is there more?

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Psychological First Aid

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

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

Psychological First Aid

• 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

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

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Terrible Things Happen

PFA Core Actions

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

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

1. Contact and Engagement

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

2. Safety and Comfort

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

3. Stabilization

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

4. Information Gathering

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

5. Practical Assistance

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

6. Connection with Social Supports

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

7. Information on Coping

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

8. Linkage with Collaborative Services

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Source: Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

PFA Core Actions

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

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Brymer, M., Layne, C., Jacobs, A., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., et al. (2006) Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition). Los Angeles, CA: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.

Become a PFA Provider

Interested? Ask me how to become a trainer.

• Take the online course

• The 8-hr or 12‐hr PFA course trains providers who may be embedded in a variety of response units (e.g. 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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What about Mental Health First Aid?

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Is there more?

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Mental Health First Aid

Examines:

• Depression and anxiety

• Suicide

• Non suicidal self-injury

• Panic attack

• Psychosis

• Substance use/misuse (overdose/withdraw)

• Eating disorders

20Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

A

L

G

E

E

21Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm

22Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Listen nonjudgementally

23Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Give reassurance and information

24Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Encourage appropriate professional help

25Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

26Source: Swarbrick, M., & Brown, J. K. (2013). Mental health first aid USA. Lutherville, MD:

Mental Health Association of Maryland.

MHFA Action Plan

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm

• Listen nonjudgementally

• Give reassurance and information

• Encourage appropriate professional help

• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

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Become a MHFA Provider

Interested? How to become a trainer:

• 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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Additional Information

• Contact your Local Mental Health Authority/Local Behavioral Health Authority

• Contact HHS Disaster Behavioral Health Services

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Thank youDee Harrison, CEM, TEM, MCP

512-380-4965

Deedra.Harrison@hhsc.state.tx.us

Laura Gehrig, MA EM, TEM, HMT

512-380-4964

Laura.Gehrig@hhsc.state.tx.us

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