Compeer mental health awareness training - the compeer mental health awareness training project will implement the evidenced-based mental health first aid curriculum, with training concentrated in…

Compeer mental health awareness training - the compeer mental health awareness training project will implement the evidenced-based mental health first aid curriculum, with training concentrated in western new york, and serving compeer affiliate agencies nationwide and throughout the world. Targeted trainees are staff from a wide array of service agencies, including mental health providers; veterans and veteran service providers, first responders, service organizations' staff, educators (college and k-12), primary care, medical doctors, business organizations, members of the faith community, and compeer volunteers. People who will benefit include individuals from culturally and ethnically diverse populations with emerging mental health needs, as well as those with SMI and/or SED, most of whom are low income. Each year, the project will train a minimum of 750 mental health first aiders (FAS), for a total of 3,750 over the five-year grant period. Partnerships with several licensed mental health providers will ensure that individuals identified and referred by FAS will have prompt access to a qualified mental health provider. Goals and objectives include: 90% of mhfa participants will report: - increased knowledge, confidence, & ability to recognize & respond to mental health issues; - increased ability to use the action plan algee to assist others dealing with mental health issues; and - increased readiness to assist someone with mental health issues 95% will report they recommend mental health first aid training to others 90% will report as a result of the training they feel more comfortable talking about mental health (alluding to decreasing the stigma) 50% of respondents will report they referred at least 1 individual to mental health support services within 12 months, 2 more trainers will be trained as mhfa instructors at least 85% of participants in mhfa training will answer "agree" or "strongly agree" to 90% of the questions on the course evaluation form (developed by mental health first aid USA). Tracked: the number of people in the mental health and related workforce trained in mental health- related practices/activities that are consistent with the goals of the grant; the number of people who have received training mhfa in prevention or mental health promotion. The number of individuals referred to mental health or related service.