Mental Health First Aid Training (for EMS)
Healthcare Industry
Organizations Involved
Occupations Involved
Workforce Development Focus
Workforce Issues Addressed
Nonprofits
National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Missouri Department of Mental Health
Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics
Improving the quality of healthcare workforce
Training current healthcare professionals in new techniques or practices
Description
The Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS course trains firefighters and EMS personnel how to safely address a colleague's mental health or substance use challenge, how to safely address a mental health or substance use challenge on the scene of an emergency and post-crisis coping strategies. The Fire/EMS course was created because first responders have high rates of suicide and so they can better support people in times of tragedy/trauma. The Mental Health First Aid courses generally teach how to apply a Mental Health First Aid action plan in a variety of real-life situations.