Mental Health First Aid: Military and Veterans – May 1

MHFA MMVF photo for posters and flyers

 

Serving Together, a program of EveryMind will be hosting an 8 hour Adult Mental Health First Aid training program with a focus on assisting military service members, veterans and their families.

The workshop is FREE for military, veterans, their families and those who work or support them. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for attendees.

 

Mental Health First Aid is a valuable resource that can make a difference in the lives of the more than 22 million veterans, their families, and the communities they live in.

Family members and personnel working with military and families are often not aware of how to engage veterans with mental illnesses and addictions. In addition to the impact of military service on the veteran, each has a circle of family (significant other, children, parents, siblings, etc.) and friends who are also impacted by their military service.

Why Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, service members, and their families?

While military service often fosters resilience in individuals and families, some service members may experience mental health or substance use challenges. Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health con­dition requiring treatment – approximately 730,000 men and women, with many experiencing post-trau­matic stress disorder and major depression. Sadly, less than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. The Veterans Administration reports that approximately 22 veterans die by suicide every day.

Individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid can help to:

  • Break down the stigma associated with mental illness like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders
  • Reach out to those who suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help
  • Let veterans know that support is available in their community
  • Provide community resource information
  • Make mental healthcare and treatment accessible to thousands in need
  • Read more about Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans in their Families in this fact sheet.

What you learn

Key components of the module for military members, veterans and their families include:

  • A discussion of military culture and its relevance to the topic of mental health
  • A discussion of the specific risk factors faced by many service members and their families such as trauma, both mental and physical, stress, separation, etc.
  • Applying the ALGEE action plan in a number of scenarios designed specifically for service members, their families and those that support them
  • A review of common mental health resources for service members, their families and those who support them

 

Event details:

Monday, May 1, 2017

8:30 am – 5:30 pm

American Red Cross Regional Headquarters

8550 Arlington Blvd.

Fairfax, VA 22031

 

To register, contact Christy Kenady at ckenady@every-mind.org or call 703-288-5355.