Mental health awareness program - the goal of rehace's mental health awareness training project is to increase mental health awareness and knowledge in 3,500 spanish speaking puerto ricans over the…

Mental health awareness program - the goal of rehace's mental health awareness training project is to increase mental health awareness and knowledge in 3,500 spanish speaking puerto ricans over the course of five years. After participants complete an evidence-based training called, mental health first aid (mhfa) participants will recognize symptoms of mental disorders, particularly SMI and SED, and will appropriately respond to individuals experiencing mental health crisis through DE-escalation techniques, and available resources in the community. Mental health in puerto rico is a public health matter. According to the health insurance administration (ases), puerto rico is the third jurisdiction in the united states with the most considerable mental health problems. Data from the commission for the prevention of suicide indicates that suicide is the third leading cause of violent deaths in puerto rico (cybernews, 2018). On top of puerto rico's fragile mental health condition, traumatic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and now the covid-19 pandemic continue to affect the emotional state of our population and exacerbate the existing conditions. To reach the target goal of 3,500 individuals, each year rehace will train 700 members of the following populations: 100 first responders' members of voluntary organizations active in disaster (prvoad); 500 faith leaders from 8 major denominations in puerto rico; 50 care providers of a rehabilitation hospital, and 50 providers of veteran services. Measurable objectives include: (1) by september 30, 2022, rehace staff will have trained 100 prvoad members, 500 faith leaders, 50 trauma health care providers, and 50 providers of veterans in puerto rico with mental health first aid which represents 100% of participants. (2) by september 30, 2022, project 700 participants will recognize signs and symptoms of mental health, particularly with SMI and SED.(3) by september 30, 2022, project 700 participants will develop the competencies to employ DE-escalation techniques to address a crisis. (4) by september 30, 2022, project 700 participants will demonstrate knowledge about mental health available resources in the community to refer individuals with a mental health need to appropriate service. For potential referrals that result from the project, rehace has established an agreement of collaboration with inspira, one of the leading mental health providers in puerto rico having an experience of more than 30 years and more than 400 licenses providers around the island. Referrals will be track through a monthly electronic questionnaire each participant will receive. Rehace instructors are clinical psychologists, that besides of training providers, also will be consultants to participants on applying DE-escalation techniques, provide guidance on potential referrals, and follow up on referrals made by participants according to the appropriate level of care. As an added value rehace will develop a year-round evidence-based mental health awareness social marketing campaign.