Young Stroke Group: Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Julie Cook from Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Baltimore gave us an introduction to this course. 32 attended.

Below is a summary of what was discussed at the meeting. Young Stroke Group Members can also access a recording. If you’d like to watch the replay, please ask for the link on the YSG Slack channel.

The presentation from the meeting is included below for reference.

Quick recap

This meeting was a stroke survivor support group session where Julie Cook, Director of Training at Shepherd Pratt Hospital, presented on Mental Health First Aid. Julie explained that the program teaches participants how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges through a 5-step ALGEE action plan covering assessment, listening, giving reassurance, encouraging professional help, and encouraging self-help. She detailed that the training consists of 2 hours of self-paced pre-work followed by 6 hours of instructor-led sessions, and is currently free in Maryland through a SAMHSA grant. The discussion included personal stories from participants about stroke recovery and mental health challenges, with Shelli seeking advice on how to approach a family member showing early signs of mental health issues.

Summary

Mental Health First Aid Overview

Julie presented an overview of the Mental Health First Aid training program, which consists of a 2-hour self-paced online module followed by 6 hours of instructor-led sessions typically spread across two days. The training covers a 5-step action plan (ALGEE) for assisting individuals experiencing mental health crises, including recognizing early warning signs, suicidal thoughts, and aggressive behaviors. The program is currently funded by a SAMHSA grant in Maryland, covering participant costs, and has trained over 700 people in the past year alone.

Early Health Intervention and Treatment

Julie shared a statistic about the 11-year delay in adults seeking help for health issues in the United States and emphasized the importance of early recognition and intervention for better recovery outcomes.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Julie presented on mental health first aid training, explaining that a 6-hour course is available free in Maryland through a grant, though she noted similar programs typically cost $169-179 elsewhere. She advised on how to approach conversations with someone showing mental health signs, recommending using “I” statements to express concern and encouraging them to talk to someone, while also suggesting the 988 crisis line as a resource. The group discussed practical aspects of the training, including its online pre-work component and certification, with Shelli seeking specific advice for handling a family member’s potential mental health issues.