Mental Health First Aid is a 7.5-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
PharmWell, a professional health & wellness program of the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation (GPhF), is pleased to make this training available as a CPE course for pharmacists and pharmacy techs.
This training is valued at $170.00. GPhF is making this training available to pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and student pharmacists for $49.00.
Mental Health First Aid Matters
Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.
Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.
When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need. Mental Health First Aiders are a vital link between someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge and appropriate supports.
About the training
The course includes 2 hours of home-study and 5.5 hours of live training. Participants are expected to complete the home-study materials and assessment prior to attending the live training.
2023 live training has ended.
About the presenter
Blake R. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, BCACP
Dr. Blake Johnson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Ambulatory Care at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. He completed his education at Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and pursued residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he completed both his PGY-1 and PGY-2 in Ambulatory Care. His research interests include health disparities, professional advancement for retail and ambulatory care pharmacists, and care quality improvement.
CE and Learning Objectives
Online Self-study (2 hours)
UAN: 0142-0000-23-003-H99-P/T
CPE hours: 2.0
Activity type: Knowledge
Target Audience: Pharmacists, Pharmacy Techs
Learning Objectives for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of Mental Health First Aid.
- Describe the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
- Explain a mental health challenge, mental disorder, and substance use disorder.
- Identify the impact of mental health and substance use challenges on the well-being of American adults.
- Explain how recovery from a mental health or substance use challenge is possible.
- Describe the principles of safety and privacy for both the Mental Health First Aider and the person receiving first aid.
- Explain the five steps of the ALGEE Action Plan.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges that may impact adults.
Live Training (5.5 hours)
UAN: 0142-0000-23-004-L99-P/T
CPE hours: 5.5
Activity type: Application
Target Audience: Pharmacists, Pharmacy Techs
Learning Objectives for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
Segment 1 & 2 – Introduction and recap of self-study (60 minutes)
- Describe the purpose of Mental Health First Aid.
- Describe the role of the Mental Health First Aider.
Segment 3 – Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) (60 minutes)
- Learn the five steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE).
- Describe the importance of each step in the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to those receiving mental health first aid.
- Explain helpful and unhelpful approaches for non-crisis situations.
- Describe verbal and non-verbal communications strategies for successful MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) use.
Segment 4 – MHFA for Early Signs and Symptoms (30 minutes)
- Given a scenario, identify early signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) when a person shows early signs of a mental health challenge.
Segment 5 – Recognizing Signs and Symptoms (30 minutes)
- Given a scenario, identify worsening signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) to a non-crisis situation where a person shows worsening signs of a mental health or substance use challenge.
Segment 6 – Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) (130 minutes)
- Apply the appropriate steps of the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) to a scenario where a person shows signs that may become a crisis.
- Apply the appropriate steps of the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE) to a crisis scenario where a person shows signs of a mental health or substance use
- Use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) to support someone after they have experienced a traumatic event.
- Understand myths versus facts related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors and identify warning signs of suicide.
- Identify appropriate action steps in a suicide risk assessment.
- Given a scenario, explain the role of the First Aider in supporting someone expressing suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Discuss the differences between delusions, hallucinations, and a severe psychotic state.
Segment 7 – MHFA for Early Signs and Symptoms (20 minutes)
- Choose appropriate methods for self-care following the application of Mental Health First Aid in a crisis or non-crisis situation.
Cancellation policy
There are no refunds available for this program. Please notify GPhF at foundation@gpha.org if you are unable to attend.
The Georgia Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
