Purdue Extension continues to offer virtual Mental Health First Aid courses in 2021

Over the past two years, Purdue Extension has offered Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses to the campus community and across Indiana. Mental Health First Aid courses provide education about mental health issues including depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicidality and substance use. Mental Health First Aid courses then offer participants tools to assist someone in distress to seek professional help. These courses also raise awareness and challenge stigma associated with seeking care.

In response to social distancing guidelines and the increased need to prioritize mental health, virtual course options are now available, still taught by a team of certified Purdue Extension facilitators. The relaunch of these programs is of particular importance during COVID-19 as more individuals and families experience increased stress. This may be of interest also to faculty and staff looking for ways to better support students and colleagues. As one of the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program, behavioral health plays a key role in overall employee well-being.

2021 course offerings

Advance registration and online pre-work are required for virtual courses, and the cost to attend is $20. Each course date is limited to 15 participants and spots will fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged.

The Mental Health First Aid adult course trains those who want to help other adults, introduces common mental health challenges and contexts, reviews safe action planning steps and covers topics such as anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidality and more.

Upcoming virtual adult course offerings:

• Jan. 27 (W) – Register by Jan. 21.
• Feb. 10 (W) – Register by Jan. 27.
• Feb. 25 (Th) – Register by Feb. 11.
• March 9 (Tu) – Register by Feb 23.

Additionally, there are Mental Health First Aid youth courses, which train adults who interact with elementary schoolchildren through high school age youth. 2021 courses are available.

To learn more about virtual course options, continuing education opportunities and featured stories, as well as to find a course that fits your schedule, visit www.extension.purdue.edu/mhfa. Check the website often for updated course listings as they become available.

Questions

Inquires may be sent via email to mhfa@purdue.edu or directed to Tessa Garrow, behavioral health specialist in the College of Health and Human Sciences, at 765-496-6849.