Mental health first aid training program - the project will provide mental health awareness training to first responders, community organizations, veteran's services, family members, and concerned…

Mental health first aid training program - the project will provide mental health awareness training to first responders, community organizations, veteran's services, family members, and concerned citizens to recognize the symptoms of mental disorders and safely respond, along with education on available community resources. The training is intended to help vulnerable and underserved youths and adults experiencing signs and symptoms of mental disorders in and around osceola county, florida. The project will utilize the evidence-based mental health first aid (mhfa) and youth mental health first aid (ymhfa) training as its primary strategy & intervention. Mhfa training for public safety training will include crisis deescalating techniques for public safety employees such as law enforcement, emts, firemen, and other first responders/public safety employees. The overall goals and measurable objectives (MO) of the project includes: goal #1: train emergency first responders, law enforcement, medical staff, individuals (e.g., school & community-based organizations l, veteran services organizations, faith-based & religious organizations), and community & family members to recognize the signs and symptoms of CO-occurring and mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness. MO 1A: 2,900 individuals will receive mhfa or ymhfa training over the course of the 5-year project. MO 1B: 85% of non-mental health professionals receiving mhfa or ymfha training will increase their understand of mental health by at least an 80% increase in their score on the modified mental health literacy scale. Goal #2: train emergency services personnel, law enforcement, fire department personnel, and others in mental health first aid for public safety including employing crisis DE-escalation techniques. MO 2.a. Provide special population mental health first aid training to key public safety audiences. MO 2.b. 80% of non-mental health professionals receiving DE-escalation training will increase in their understanding of DE-escalation techniques as evidenced by pre- and post-tests. Goal #3: educate organizations and individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental disorder so they may refer individuals with the signs or symptoms of mental illness to appropriate services. MO 3.a. Develop/update BI-annual community resource manuals both print and electronic to be distributed in the community and provided to each person receiving mhfat. MO 3.b. 85 % of non-mental health professionals receiving mhfa training will report an 80% increase in their knowledge of community resources and referral sources for direct mental health services as evidenced by pre- and post-tests.