Seasons Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) - Project Abstract Summary
Project Name: Seasons Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) Project
Applicant: Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center dba Seasons Center for Behavioral Health
Project Summary: The proposed project will provide training to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and offer strategies for handling crisis situations; establish linkages among community agencies to enhance referral processes for accessing mental health services; and provide education regarding community resources.
Target Population to be Served: The proposed training plan is designed to serve a broad base of community agencies and individuals, including child welfare, school personnel, law enforcement, medical staff, veterans and their families, armed services members, behavioral health staff, first responders, and other community members. A minimum of 10 mental health awareness trainings will target veterans, military families, and armed forces.
Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Target Population: The geographic service area for the project encompasses 19 counties in the northwestern corner of the State of Iowa: Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury. The nineteen county region has a population of 356,856 residents (Census 2017 Estimates). In 2017 Seasons Center provided behavioral health services to 5,338 individuals, including 2,448 youth.
Evidence-Based Strategies and Interventions: The evidence-based trainings to be implemented are Mental Health First Aid USA and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Project Goals and Measurable Objectives: The goals of the project are:
Goal 1: To increase the number of individuals certified to teach the Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid USA course over the three year project period. Target Outcome: Train 12 individuals to be certified Instructors.
Goal 2: To expand to number of trainings offered in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid USA within a 19 county region. Target Outcome: Host 40 training events, with a minimum of 608 participants.
Goal 3: To improve collaboration and linkages among community agencies to enhance referral processes for mental health services and resources. Target Outcome: Host 36 community education events and pilot a uniform referral process for mental health services.
Number to be Served Annually and Throughout Lifetime of Project: The project proposes to offer 40 trainings (Year 1: 4, Year 2: 12, Year 3: 24); train 608 individuals (Year 1: 80, Year 2: 240, Year 3: 288); and certify 12 Instructors (Year 1: 4, Year 2: 4, Year 4). 10 trainings will target veterans, military families, and armed forces: (Year 1: 1, Year 2: 3, Year 3: 6).
