Unison Behavioral Health’s Subject Matter Experts are available to the community to serve as speakers for clubs, schools, social service agencies, civic groups, and business organizations. Speakers are available at no charge and are able to speak on a wide range of topics regarding mental health, addictive disease, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Request a presentation by calling Unison at (800) 342-8168.

Mental Health First Aid

Depression. Anxiety. Substance abuse. These are just few of the mental health challenges persons can face in their daily lives. In fact, 1 in 5 people you meet have struggled with a mental health or substance use problem at some point.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is an innovative, 8-hour course designed to give you the tools to recognize a range of mental health problems and the skills and confidence to help someone in a mental health crisis. In this training, participants learn to:

• Identify the warning signs and risk factors for mental health problems including depression, self-harm, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, psychosis, substance use disorders and eating disorders
• Use a 5-step action plan to help someone in crisis
• Guide a person to needed services and supportive help
• Challenge stigma by dispelling myths about mental illness

Mental Health First Aid-USA has a strong evidence base and was developed through collaboration between Maryland Mental Health Transformation office, Missouri Mental Health Office of Transformation, and the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare.

Who Can Be A Mental Health First Aider?

• Teachers/School administrators
• Childcare workers
• Healthcare professionals
• Social services staff
• Employers
• Faith communities
• Law enforcement/other first responders
• Nursing home/caregiver staff
• Substance abuse professionals
• Parents
• YOU!

Mental Health First Aid training is appropriate for anyone who would like to learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.

MHFA Training Provided by Unison Behavioral Health

Since 2013, Unison Behavioral Health has trained over a hundred individuals to become certified Mental Health First Aiders in their southeast Georgia communities. Trainings have been held in Waycross, Nahunta, Douglas, Alma and other regional locations. Participant feedback from recent trainings:

“Wonderful course with relevant examples and materials that equip me to be better prepared with dealing with mental health.”

“Everyone needs this class!”

“I feel educated and able to help those in need after taking this class”

“I use the knowledge I gained every day in working with youth.”

“I absolutely loved it! I recommend it to others.”

Contact Unison For MHFA Training

Each year, Unison offers Mental Health First Aid classes to the community at minimal to no cost. Unison’s certified staff are also available to come to you at your place of work, study or other place you designate to provide training. For more information about MHFA go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org. To inquire about MHFA in your community call Unison at
(800) 342-8168 or contact:

Tiffany Henderson, (Youth MHFA), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Leslie White, (Adult MHFA), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
April Roberson, (Adult MHFA), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.