Your children may be excited to return to school after a long summer – or even a year of online classes. However, the new school year can come with new challenges. As a caring adult, parent or guardian, it can be difficult to know how to support children with this stressful and overwhelming transition. In a typical year, your children may face a new environment, […]
COVID-19 is impacting everyone in different ways. Children and youth may not be going to school or daycare, can’t see their friends on a regular basis, and might not be able to even play outside. Kids sometimes do not know how to communicate changes in feeling and emotion, making it vital that parents and caregivers pay close attention to their behavior and words for any […]
Deep in Kansas, a transformation is taking place, breaking cultural barriers and fostering open conversations about mental health. Liberal, Kansas, achieved a significant milestone in mental health education and inclusivity. With the successful completion of a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Spanish-speaking Communities course, 22 Seward County residents were certified as Mental Health First Aiders. A grant from United Healthcare to Community Behavioral Health, […]
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2024) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in St. Louis on April 14, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Humana Foundation, WestCare Foundation and four MHFA Instructors and Coordinators for their significant efforts in expanding MHFA’s reach in their local communities and beyond. […]
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing today announced a new training program to help employers reduce the negative impact of workplace fatigue and stress among employees.
Mental health training for manufacturing employees at every level Challenging production targets, isolated workstations and repetitive, physically demanding tasks are taking a toll on manufacturing employees. Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work for Manufacturing. Download the Mental Health First Aid at Work for Manufacturing one-pager. Trusted by leading manufacturing companies nationwide Bring Mental Health First Aid at Work […]
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider was a turning point in Brianna Hauser’s life. Her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence shaped her perspective on the importance of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and fueled her determination to help others. At first, she didn’t know where to start, but her journey to #BeTheDifference began when her organization offered Youth MHFA. Overcoming Adversity and Embracing […]
Content Warning: This blog contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some readers. Topics discussed include sexual assault, grief, and references to 9/11. Reader discretion is advised. If you find these subjects distressing or uncomfortable, we encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing and consider avoiding this content. Mental Health First Aider Miosotys Santiago survived the 9/11 attacks in New York, narrowly escaping Tower […]
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (Oct. 9, 2023) — The National Council for Mental Wellbeing today announced the appointment of 10 leading behavioral health experts to expand its Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Research Advisory Board. First introduced in 2021, the independent advisory group was convened to advance the research, monitoring and evaluation of MHFA courses in the United States. Over the […]
Life has a rhythm. Some seasons are busier than others, some are quieter and more predictable. Workloads ebb and flow. Relationships evolve. And then there are the curveballs thrown our way. Our lives change no matter what, and that change can be hard. But adjusting how we look at change can improve our attitude. Instead of dreading or avoiding it, expect it, account for it […]
Mental Health Training for Retail Employees at Every Level Tough customer interactions, unpredictable hours and physically demanding shifts are taking a toll on retail workers. Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Retail. Download the Mental Health First Aid at Work for Retail one-pager. Trusted by leading retail companies nationwide Bring Mental Health First Aid at Work for Retail […]
Mental health training for restaurant and food service employees at every level Excessive workloads, unpredictable hours and unhealthy coping strategies like substance use are having an impact on restaurant and food service employees. Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work for Restaurants. Download the Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants one-pager. Bring Mental Health First Aid at […]
My district has over 8,000 employees, so you can imagine it was a lot of work to meet the goal of training 80% of them in Youth Mental Health First Aid in one year. But it was 100% worth it. After every training, I would hear from teachers how grateful they were for the opportunity. The training really opened the doors for bigger conversations about […]
Adults often joke about the moodiness and unpredictable nature of teenagers. As teens go through puberty, spend more time with friends and less with family and discover their own identities, the shifts don’t come easy — for them or their families. But, as a parent or guardian, when should you be concerned about your teen’s mental wellbeing? How can you determine if your child is […]
Our nation has a youth mental health crisis. One in six youth and adolescents will experience a mental health condition in any given time, nearly half of teens (44%) report feeling persistently sad and hopeless and 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is just one piece in a larger effort […]
I always thought I knew the best way to have a conversation with people. I have three kids, so I thought I knew how to communicate well. But in 2017, after a colleague and I attended a Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) training. We looked at each other halfway through the training and said, “We need to bring this invaluable training to our […]
I work at an alternative school for middle and high school students. To say my training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is helpful would be an understatement. It’s so useful, in fact, that I’ve taken the training twice — I liked it so much the first time, I wanted to make sure I thoroughly understood the program. One of my main takeaways from […]
Media Contact Irene Tung IreneT@TheNationalCouncil.org 771-215-5853 Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2023) – In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Los Angeles, California, on April 30, 2023, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized Rare Beauty, California State University, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, Yulanda Prude, Marisa Vicere, Michael Rhinehart and Stephanie Hartman for their outstanding […]
Caring for aging parents while raising a family can be challenging. As their child, you feel pressure to care for aging parents, and as a parent, you feel the obligation to tend to your family. As a caregiver, you may feel like you’re being squeezed on both ends, like an uncomfortable sandwich. “Sandwich generation” refers to those individuals who have parents ages 65 or older […]
How teenagers manage and use social media is a complicated topic. Sure, social media can be a valuable tool and resource. Many times, it’s where teenagers express themselves, develop their identities and connect with others. But it can also be the source of depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation and other mental health challenges. Major concerns are cyber bullying, sexual content, negative pressure and feelings of inadequacy […]
