Mental Health First Aid Act Policy Summary

Policy Description
The goal of Mental Health First Aid Act aims to increase participants ’knowledge about mental health in general as well as about common disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, self-harm, suicidal behaviours) and available treatment options. Another aim is to reduce stigma surrounding mental disorders, as negative attitudes have an adverse impact on supportive and help-seeking behaviours (Hadlaczky, et.al., 2014 as cited in Kitchener & Jorm, 2006). The Act is designed to give ordinary people the skills to help someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. A tenet of the course is early intervention to prevent mental illness from developing into something more severe.

Senate Bill 711 (2015) states the training should provide core live training for individuals on the skills, resources, and knowledge to assist individuals in crisis and connect them to appropriate mental health care service. Further, individuals receive a training on resources, information on local community centers, and training on action plans and protocols on referring individuals. The objective of the training is to teach safe de-escalation during crisis, recognizing signs and systems of mental health, especially common psychiatric conditions, and timely referrals to mental health services to avoid even more costly subsequent care and enhance effectiveness. Overall, 20 million dollars were granted, and the bill states the money should be distributed equally geographically with a focus on mental health training needs for rural areas. Furthermore, the State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, or nonprofit private entity that receives a grant prepares and submits an evaluation to the

Department of Health and Human Services' general health literacy campaign. The National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy's guiding principles states that everyone has the right to health information to help them make informed decisions, and health services. Further, it should be delivered in ways that are understandable and beneficial to health, longevity, and quality of life (Rosenberg, 2011). With the implementation of this plan, we are ensuring individuals are equipped with a vast amount of knowledge and information to provide another individual with the proper direction they need to ensure they are getting