Mental Health First Aid -Standard Blended Learning

Topics

Module 1: Self-Directed

• Introduction to the course

• Introduction to MHFA actions

Module 2: Virtual Classroom

• Practice applying MHFA actions to situations of declining mental well-being

• Guidelines for MHFA conversations with people from diverse cultures and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community

Module 3 Virtual Classroom

• Discussion on using MHFA actions for self-care

• Practice using MHFA actions in crisis situations Method of Instruction

This 9-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practice throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3). Course participants are required to complete Module 1 before participating in Module 2 and 3.

Upon registration, participants will receive the “MHFA Participant Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health and substance use crises.

Mental Health First Aid –

Supporting Youth

The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health or substance use problem within a given year. These problems often first develop during adolescence or early adulthood. While people often know a lot about physical illness, most people have less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding often leads to fear and negative attitudes toward those living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves, and from providing appropriate support to people around them.

DURATION: 8 hours of blended learning over the course of 1 or 2 days (plus 2 hours of self-directed learning)

Topics

Module 1: Introduction to MHFA

• Introduction to MHFA Actions - ALGEES

• The role of a first aider

• Key knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours

• Impact of stigma on mental well-being

• The range of changes that may indicate a decline in mental well-being

• Risk factors and protective factors that influence mental well-being

• Activity: Use the information in this module to create a Persona of a young person you are likely to encounter

Module 2: MHFA for Declining Mental Well-Being

• Review of Module 1

• Key skills: Assessing the situation

• Key skills: Communicating respectfully (includes communicating with people from diverse cultures and with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community)

• Case studies

• Review activity: Use what you have learned to support the Persona created in Module 1

Module 3: MHFA for Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Situations

• Responding to possible challenges

• Recognizing possible signs of a crisis

• MHFA actions in a crisis

• Case studies

• Using MHFA actions (ALGEES) for your own self-care

This 10-hour course opens with a self-directed module (Module 1) that focuses on the information and strategies that participants will discuss and practise throughout the virtual classroom modules (Modules 2 and 3). Upon registration, participants receive a link to the “MHFA Reference Guide” that outlines MHFA actions for developing mental health and substance use problems, and mental health crises.

About the Facilitator

My name is Kristen Yorga and I have extensive experience providing support and services to people struggling with mental health and substance use disorders and I am pleased to be able to offer my unique skills and abilities to the community at large. I completed the Addiction Counselling Diploma Program at Medicine Hat College in 2008 and have been employed with Saskatchewan Health Authority - Mental Health and Addiction Services ever since. I have expertise across several tiers of services including intake, client centered clinical services, in-patient detox, and various types of outpatient treatment programs. I have worked with both adolescent and adult clients with complex substance use and mental health needs. I have been committed to providing collaborative client care with other community agencies including Domestic Violence Court and Secure Youth Detox. I have a special interest in suicide intervention and have been facilitating ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshops for LivingWorks Education since 2012. I am also a facilitator for SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) facilitating ADE (Alcohol and Drug Education) and DWI (Driving Without Impairment). In more recent years, I have added Mental Health Commission of Canada - Mental Health First Aid workshops onto my roster of workshops. I find this workshop to be very enjoyable, especially with regard to the clientele that it has allowed me to reach. In terms of other passions and pastimes, I enjoy cooking, yoga, running, teaching spin classes, reading and spending time outdoors.