The Mental Health First Aid workshop is an internationally-recognized, skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. The goal of this course is to raise understanding and promote positive, effective responses to those in need. To date, more than three million people have completed this training worldwide. The Drupal Community Working Group (CWG) Community Health Team is pleased to announce that registration is now open for a virtual Mental Health First Aid workshop exclusively for Drupal community members on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 1500 UTC. Prior to the workshop, students will be required to complete 2 hours of self-study.

The Mental Health First Aid workshop is currently country-specific. The October 27th workshop will be based on the United States curriculum. All community members are welcome to attend, but if you’d prefer to pursue the workshop customized for another country, please fill out this form and let us know.

The CWG continually looks for opportunities to promote growth in our community. We believe that these types of proactive workshops will help improve our community’s mental health literacy and awareness, as well as making it easier for us to have open, honest, and respectful conversations. We can all be empowered to potentially spot signs of when community members are in need of assistance.

The cost of the workshop is $80. If you need financial assistance, please contact us at drupal-cwg at drupal.org.

Participants will complete a 2-hour self-study followed by a 4.5-hour live-instructor Zoom session. The 2-hour self-study must be completed prior to the Zoom portion of the workshop.

Upon completion, participants have a better understanding of the impact mental illnesses and addictions have on a person, their family and communities.

Register for the course today – registration closes on October 20, 2020.

Notes about the registration process:

• Time zone information is not displayed on the registration page. The virtual portion of the workshop takes place at 1500 UTC (11am ET, 8am PT).
• On the registration form, there are several options that are not relevant to the virtual workshop. Please ignore (enter “not applicable” or “n/a”).
• In the automated email you will receive confirming your registration, there is a physical location for the workshop. Please ignore.
• In the days leading up to the workshop, you will receive emails from both the MHFA instructor as well as the CWG Community Health Team with additional information.

Eight Quick Facts about Mental Health First Aid:

1. Participants learn a five-step action plan to help loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and others cope with mental health or substance use problems.
2. Mental Health First Aid is designed to provide temporary help to a person either developing or experiencing a mental health crisis until professional treatment is obtained or the crisis resolves.
3. This is an evidence-based public education and prevention tool designed to improve knowledge and communication.
4. Originally created in Australia in 2001, it is now international with programs in countries such as the United Kingdom, China, Canada, Finland, and Singapore.
5. The National Council for Behavioral Health has the goal of making Mental Health First Aid as common as traditional First Aid and CPR are today.
6. Mental Health First Aid studies have shown that the program:
   • improves people’s mental health,
   • increases understanding of issues and treatments,
   • connects people with care
   • reduces stigma.
7. Trainees learn a five-step action plan to assess, intervene, and secure care. Trainees also learn risk factors and warning signs.
8. Certification is valid for three years, after which an online recertification may be completed.

Over the past few years, the CWG has organized proactive community health events, including our on-going Code of Conduct contact training. If you are aware of an organization that provides opportunities you’d like us to consider please contact us at drupal-cwg at drupal.org.