Press Release
Contact: Laureen Pagel
Phone: (904) 225-8280
November 14, 2016 3:00 p.m.
Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare is part of a nationwide effort to train more than one million US residents in Mental Health First Aid. Starting Point began offering the 8-hour certification course in 2014, after two staff members were trained to be instructors. Since then, more than 700 individuals in Northeast Florida have been trained in Mental Health First Aid, including law enforce-ment officers, teachers, nurses and others who interact with the public regularly.
In just 10 years, Mental Health First Aid has become a full-blown movement in the U.S. — half a million Mental Health First Aiders strong and growing every day. In 2016, the National Council for Behavioral Health is making it a priority to train more first aid-ers than ever before. The vision? One million Mental Health First Aiders in the U.S.
1 in 5 Has Mental Illness
One in five Americans has a mental illness and many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care. The symptoms of mental illness can be difficult to detect, even among family and friends. While they can tell that something is amiss, they may not know how to intervene or direct the person to proper treatment. All too of-ten, that means those in need of mental health services do not get them until it is too late.
Just as medical first aid training provides critical help during an emergency until professional medical help arrives, the MHFA training helps individuals to identify and in-tervene during a mental health crisis or illness. The course teaches the signs and symptoms of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and addictions. It offers concrete tools and answers key questions like “What can I do?” and “Where can someone find help?” Participants are introduced to local mental health resources, national organizations, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support.
Starting Point regularly schedules training classes that are available to the public. To learn more, visit www.mhfanassau.com
Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services to children, teens and adults in the Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Hilli-ard and Nassau County, FL region. Serving more than 2,700 individuals each year, Starting Point is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. For more information or to make a dona-tion, visit ww.spbh.org.
With the rise in Baker Acts statewide to 193, 410 in 2015, it is evident that the crisis response system of the mental health system needs greater focus. The mental health first aid is a terrific step in the right direction. Often people just do not know how to recognize when they are dealing with a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate attention.
Tragically here in Nassau County of the 408 reported Baker Acts in 2015 18.87% were children or under 18 yrs old where the statewide average was 17%. Law enforcement continues to be the tip on the spear in emergency response with 58% of all Baker Acts being initiated by LEO and 40% by mental health professionals.
The mental health first aid program is a great building block for improving awareness and recognition of emerging conditions that form the foundation of psychiatric emergencies. I am glad to see Starting Point leading on this important element in our system of support! Great work!