Skip to main menu Skip to content

Posts Tagged ‘Be The Difference’: November 2021

father and young son sit in a farm field looking at their sheep and goats

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Rural Communities

July 13, 2023
The challenges people who live in rural communities are vastly different than those who live in urban areas. What is gained in wide, open spaces is traded for convenience. Trips to the grocery store take more planning and walking or...
Read More

men sitting in a circle of chairs talking with an American flag behind them

Offer Support to Military, Veterans and Their Families with MHFA

June 21, 2023
Anthony Campbell admits he used to be a “yeller.” Whether it was the way he was raised or his military background that instilled the behavior — probably a bit of both, he said — taking a Mental Health First Aid...
Read More

young black male firefighter stands in front of a firetruck

To the Fire/EMS Community: Help and Hope Are There

June 14, 2023
On the East Coast, the place where firefighters reside is called a firehouse. On the West Coast, it’s called a fire station. Misusing the terms — which may seem insignificant — can cause a shift in credibility when it comes...
Read More

group of people walking outside with their arms linked

25 Small, Powerful Ways to Take Action for Mental Health

May 18, 2023
Taking charge of your mental health doesn’t have to mean drastic lifestyle changes. In fact, the smaller the shift, the more likely it is you’ll do it. Big, lofty goals are often unrealistic and quickly fizzle out. For example, you...
Read More

teacher works with students in a classroom

The Key to Helping Students: Listen with an Open Heart

May 1, 2023
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...
Read More

four women chat in an office setting

Prioritizing Mental Wellbeing for Women in the Workplace

March 21, 2023
For years, women have faced unique obstacles when it comes to economic security, workplace inclusion and access to mental health resources. But lately, there have been breakthroughs of hope. Women are making their mental health a priority and employers are...
Read More

a mother and young daughter face each other

How to Talk to Kids About Mental Health

March 7, 2023
Having a serious conversation about mental health with a young person can be challenging, to say the least. How do you start the conversation? What should you bring up? How much is too much information? Should it even be discussed?...
Read More

Black woman reads in bed with a cup of coffee

Practice Self-care as an Act of Kindness

February 14, 2023
It is easy to feel mentally exhausted in a world that demands so much our time, energy and focus. Many people push themselves from sunup to sundown in a quest to keep up with responsibilities at home and work, juggling...
Read More

MHFA Summit participants with ALGEE koala sculpture

5 Reasons Instructors Should Attend the 2023 Mental Health First Aid Summit

February 2, 2023
It’s one thing to hear or read online about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and feel a small flicker of inspiration inside you as an Instructor or Coordinator. It’s a whole other thing to attend a national conference in person...
Read More

smiling woman rests her hand on another's shoulder

Using ALGEE to Support Adults with Developmental Disabilities

December 1, 2022
As Mental Health First Aiders, knowing how and when to support someone who is experiencing a distressing situation is vital, but can also be difficult to navigate in the moment. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Action Plan (ALGEE) is...
Read More

closeup of a line of police officers

Mental Health First Aid in Action: The Importance of the Follow-up

October 28, 2022
What we say and do in response to the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge can have a tremendous impact on the perceptions, actions and outcomes of all involved. That’s really true for public safety...
Read More

boys basketball team texting from the bench

What Student Athletes (and Their Coaches) Need to Know About Mental Health

October 18, 2022
In my sophomore year of high school, I took the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) course as part of my gym class, and my number one takeaway is that mental health is just as important as physical health. This...
Read More