Boca Raton's Promise is a proud member of the
PBC Mental Health First Aid Coalition
Collaborating to Present MHFA Trainings in Boca Raton & PBC
MHFA is an interactive 5-Hour National Certification Program.
MHFA is Funded in part by ongoing generous support of the
Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation.
There are two versions of MHFA.
An *Adult course intended for adults dealing with adult mental health and a *Youth course, intended for adults dealing with youth mental health.
Contact Email: MHFA@BRPromise.org
Someone you know could be experiencing
a mental illness or crisis. You can help them.
You are more likely to encounter someone — friend, family member,
coworker, neighbor, or member of the community — in an emotional
or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack.
Take the course, save a life,
strengthen your community.
Watch Video
Michelle Obama on MHFA
First Lady Michelle Obama said, "I went through some of this training a few weeks ago…and I saw just how useful it is. It really gives you the skills you need to identify — and ultimately help — someone in need. Because you never know when these kinds of skills might be useful.”
Watch 2-min. MHFA Video
Click on Videos Above & Right to Play
Mental Health First Aid is a groundbreaking national public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid is offered in the form of an interactive 5-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Those who take the 8-hour course to certify as Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
Mental Health Training Impacts Palm Beach County
Sponsor of legislation leads by example, becomes certified to provide mental health first aid
In partnership with the Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service (AJFCS,) a successful MHFA training session held at the Faulk Center for Counseling in Boca Raton, provided certification to thirty persons. Among those certified was State Representative Lori Berman (D-District 90), who introduced 2013 legislation to provide MHFA training in Florida. Additional trainings are being scheduled in Boca Raton and several more throughout Palm Beach County.
In 2014, Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service received funding from the Herbert Bearman Foundation to bring MHFA to our county. More than 500 persons have become certified “first aiders” since April 2014, including several hundred PBSO police officers.. MHFA teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional or personal care. Boca Raton’s Promise and the Palm Beach County Action Alliance for Mental Health have partnered with AJFCS to present several trainings in the south part of the county. Courtesy of Boca Raton’s Promise and the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, several trainings are being provided to Boca Raton residents at no-cost.
Any caring citizen may register, including first responders, college students, teachers, nurses, faith leaders, and human resource professionals. To register or inquire about hosting or enrolling for other trainings contact Cindy Wides, MHFA Coordinator, Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, 561.238.0251, CWides@jfcsonline.com.
During the initial fall training, Rep. Berman voiced her continued support for MHFA, and backed that up with action by participating herself. “The leadership demonstrated by Rep. Berman on MHFA and other mental health issues will help save lives and strengthen our community,” said Rita Thrasher, President and CEO of Boca Raton’s Promise. “Mental illness is more common than most people think, but we need to address it in much the same manner as we address any physical ailment or sickness.
BRP Mental Health PSA
Play
