Several entries ago I discussed setting up and taking a class called Mental Health First Aid. Today, I got to take the class, and it was a good learning experience. The training was about 8 hours long and really targeted what you can say or do when someone is starting to become mentally ill or if there is a mental health crisis situation. As you can imagine, there was a lot to cover.
As part of the class, there is a 100 plus page booklet that you get to keep, and I am excited to have it as a reference. On the flip side, that amount of information plus 8 hours of class can be overwhelming, but I am glad to have the information available if and when I would need it. Also, there is a basic approach presented, so overall just having the simple framework will help you in a lot of situations. And ultimately, if you are facing a mental health situation, it is good to have an easy, simple framework to help you guide your actions and words.
On the whole, I am always impressed at how I can learn so much from all of these classes. Sometimes I think I know a lot about mental illness, especially depression, and that one more class won’t add a lot to my knowledge base. But, I am proven wrong every time. I should know better by now, and I love to learn anyway. However, today was another example that the more you learn about mental illness and depression the more you can empower yourself to help others. That in turn can create a domino effect that helps to reduce stigma, spread understanding, and help us all take care of each other. Education is indeed a powerful thing, and that is no different when it comes to depression and mental illness.