SPC Offers Mental Health First Aid Training

SPC Offers Mental Health First Aid Training

The College is part of a continuous initiative to increase mental health literacy

St. Petersburg College (SPC) offers Mental Health First Aid Training to public service professionals in five counties in response to our nation's mental health crisis. The training is FREE thanks to support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Community Foundation Tampa Bay (CFTB).

This groundbreaking, skills-based course gives people the tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.

“This training has such a significant ripple effect. With participants feeling empowered and knowledgeable on how to help, we have seen that our Mental Health First Aiders on average use their skills to help at least two to four individuals in the first several months of taking the training. I have also been touched by many stories from our participants about how this training has had a positive impact on prioritizing their mental health,” said Joanna Corde, Project Coordinator.

Who uses Mental Health First Aid?

SPC began offering Mental Health First Aid trainings in 2020 in partnership with the Community Foundation Tampa Bay. Since the first class, the College has issued 2,313 certifications of completion. The training is an evidence-based course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Its goal is to empower an additional 4,238 key personnel in nonprofits, faith communities and other community settings to identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental health challenges.

The College provides training to key personnel working or volunteering in:

• Schools (K-12 or higher education)
• Emergency response (e.g., first responders)
• Health care
• Veterans’ organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Nonprofits

St. Petersburg College offers two training options:

• Adult Mental Health First Aid (adult helping an adult)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (adult helping an adolescent (12-18))

Where is the training available?

This training is available to organizations and individuals in the following counties in virtual and in-person formats.

• Pinellas
• Hillsborough
• Pasco
• Hernando
• Citrus

Why is training needed?

Mental Health First Aid, or CPR of mental health, is a national certification through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis.

“In order to address the growing mental health crisis in our community we must equip more and more individuals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to act appropriately when faced with these situations, personally and professionally,” said Katie Shultz, Vice President Communications of Community Foundation Tampa Bay.

In just 12 years, Mental Health First Aid has progressed in the United States with over 2.5 million people becoming certified Mental Health First Aiders. Even before the pandemic and social unrest of 2020, mental illness was a serious issue in our community and all communities. Pre-2020 research shows that 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness within a given year. A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in August 2020 found that 40% of U.S. adults are struggling with at least one serious mental health issue during the pandemic. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.

However, with the right information and skills, a trained First Aider could respond to struggling people and help them get needed support.

More Information

Upcoming trainings are offered in-person and virtually:

• Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Virtual – Adult MHFA
• Aug. 20, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Virtual – Adult MHFA
• Aug. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cove Behavioral Health, 4422 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa – Adult MHFA
• Sept. 4, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Virtual – Adult MHFA
• Sept. 17, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Virtual – Adult MHFA
• Oct. 12, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Tampa Bay Tech, 6410 Orient Rd, Tampa – Youth MHFA

For registration and the discount code for free training, information, or questions, contact Joanna Corde, SPC’s ACT-TB Project Coordinator at corde.joanna@spcollege.edu or 727-341-3640.

Disclaimer: This product was developed [in part] under grant number 1H79SM084729 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.

The training is FREE thanks to the College’s support with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Community Foundation Tampa Bay (CFTB).

This is a press release from St. Petersburg College. For more information, contact Samantha Stanich, Communications/PR Coordinator, at 727-341-4195 or Marilyn Shaw, Marketing and Strategic Communications Manager, at 727-341-4712.