Mental health first aid for veterans in southwest alabama - alabama has a population of approximately 3,000,000 persons (60% of total population) who live in a hrsa-designated mental health provider…

Mental health first aid for veterans in southwest alabama - alabama has a population of approximately 3,000,000 persons (60% of total population) who live in a hrsa-designated mental health provider shortage area. The first congressional district of southwest alabama has population to mental health providers ratios that range from 1040:1 (baldwin county) to 4090:1 (washington county). State-level projections of supply and demand for behavioral health occupations suggests that alabama will continue to have a deficit of mental health care providers of all types through the year 2030. The need for innovative solutions to gaps in recovery-based services are magnified for the 64,000 military veterans residing in the 8-county catchment area of south alabama. Additionally, veterans are often employed as first responder personnel. According to a supplementary research bulletin from samsha , IT is estimated that 30% of first responders develop behavioral health conditions including, but not limited to, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Culturally, firefighters are brave, strong, and resilient, yet they experience fear of losing their career if speaking about their mental or emotional distress. The report also described a lack of awareness and pragmatic barriers (IE. High cost of services, erratic work schedules) that limit their ability to seek care. Collectively, the need to improve mental health literacy, decrease stigma, and offer resources to increase the capacity of veterans, first responders, and their family members is clear. Therefore, our populations of focus are veterans and emergency services personnel (many of whom are veterans). Mental health awareness and DE-escalation training will be provided to veterans and their families, emergency services personnel (firefighters & emergency medical technicians), and other professionals who will likely encounter veterans in their everyday work. These professionals include primary care providers, veteran service organization personnel, faculty and staff of a local institutions of higher education, and faith based organization. The project will deliver training and services to the six counties of the first congressional district of southwest alabama intending to reach approximately 5700 persons