Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being that can often be misunderstood or overlooked. To increase awareness about mental health and highlight supportive resources, Balanced You has partnered with the National Council of Behavioral Health to offer Mental Health First Aid@Work (MHFA@Work) trainings. These trainings are available to all County employees, free of charge.
As we’ve seen over the past few years, the need for mental health awareness is growing. Balanced You urges employees to consider participating in the Mental Health First Aid@Work training so we can all better support each other.
In 2023, we are providing MHFA General Awareness training courses and a MHFA Certification. Read on for more information and how to register.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Like CPR and physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid@Work trainings teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Participants will learn the common risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like, “What do I do?” and, “Where can someone find help?”
What will I learn?
You will learn how to support an individual in the workplace who may be experiencing mental illness and connect them to available resources internal and external of the workplace. You will not learn to diagnose, or how to provide any therapy or counseling. Rather, you will have an opportunity increase awareness and practice skills including empathetic listening and assessing for risk.
Each Mental Health First Aid training will be focused on:
- Increasing awareness about mental health while reducing misunderstandings and myths.
- Recognizing the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
- Practicing Mental Health First Aid exercises including assessing for risk and non-judgmental listening.
- Using a five-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate help.
Participants will receive a Zoom link and virtual training materials link via email from BalancedYou@Kingcounty.gov.
Mental Health First Aid@Work: General Awareness Training
MHFA@Work is an interactive, skills-based training program that teaches you and your team how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to a colleague who’s struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate employee resources or reach out for emergency services when necessary.
This is a four-hour training, no certificate given. Capacity is 25 people per session.
| Date | Time | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Mar. 1 | 8 a.m. to noon | Register here |
| Tuesday, April 25 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Register here |
| Thursday, June 15 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Register here |
| Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 8 a.m. to noon | Register here |
Mental Health First Aid: Certification Course
By fostering a culture of mental wellbeing and compassion, MHFA Certification makes your organization a better place to work. Learners come away with a better understanding of how to care for their own wellbeing at work as well as an action plan to apply to non-crisis and crisis scenarios.
This is a four-hour course with pre-course work and a final test, certificate earned. Capacity is 15 people per session.
| Date | Time | Registration |
| Thursday, June 29 | 8 a.m. to noon | Register here |
| Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Register here |
| Thursday, Nov. 9 | 8 a.m. to noon | Register here |
| Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Register here |
Contact Balanced You with any questions balancedyou@kingcounty.gov.
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