Northeast michigan mhat - through the northeast michigan mhat project, northeast michigan community partnership and its partners will build capacity to respond to mental health needs in alcona,…

Northeast michigan mhat - through the northeast michigan mhat project, northeast michigan community partnership and its partners will build capacity to respond to mental health needs in alcona, alpena, montmorency and presque isle counties through training, an awareness campaign and development of crisis response teams. Training will be provided to school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, veterans, armed services members and their families, clinicians and others to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances in all 4 counties each year of the grant on a rotating basis. Training includes mental health first aid, youth mental health first aid, safetalk, and asist. A comprehensive awareness campaign will utilize multiple forms of media to reduce stigma, promote use of resources, increase help-seeking behaviors, and encourage early intervention before a situation reaches a crisis level. Crisis response teams will be developed in each county. This will require building relationships; identifying local concerns, needs and resources; training; and facilitative support during development. Team members will help assure appropriate referrals to services are made, regardless of the concern including mental illness, suicide, domestic violence, or other situation. Goal 1: increase the capacity of targeted trainees to respond appropriately to persons with a mental health concern. Objective 1: by sept 29, 2025 project staff will train 1,650 individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, identify available resources for referrals, and safely DE-escalate a crisis. Objective 2: by sept 29, 2026 project staff will compile, regularly update, and publish a comprehensive list of mental health resources in at least 3 mediums. Goal 2: increase awareness of diverse community members of mental health concerns and resources in order to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors. Objective 1: by sept 29, 2026 at least 8 forms of media will distribute 30 distinct messages to individuals with a mental illness, those who care for them, and the general community. Goal 3: assure sustainability of mental health awareness, training and referrals to services post grant funding in the 4 county region. Objective 1: by sept 29, 2026 increase capacity for training by equipping 4 more individuals to deliver evidence-based training. Objective 2: by sept 29, 2026 project staff will facilitate development of crisis response teams consisting of law enforcement, first responders and community resources in each of the 4 counties served in this project to increase appropriate response to individuals with a mental health concern, and increase referrals to appropriate mental health resources.