Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Mental Health Awareness Training – Emergency Services program will provide Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to emergency services professionals in Connecticut including local and state police, fire personnel, Department of Correction staff, college campus security and student conduct representatives. These professionals frequently encounter individuals who exhibit the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Wheeler Clinic, a leading behavioral health and prevention provider in Connecticut, will provide 156 MHFA trainings to 3,120 emergency services professionals. Each training will average 20 participants. (Year 1: 28 trainings for 560 people and Years 2-5: 32 trainings for 640 people per year.) Wheeler is working with statewide organizations, including the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, and the Connecticut Departments of Correction and Administrative Services to reach these professionals. Outpatient mental health and substance abuse services are priority health needs in most CT towns as indicated by Community Health Needs Assessments (2018-2019). The targeted professionals frequently encounter people who may have a mental health crisis and they are not typically trained in mental health awareness or de-escalation techniques. Law enforcement personnel and first responders are at greater risk than the general public of experiencing mental health challenges in their lifetime due to constant exposure to traumatic experiences. Participants will learn concrete information about specific mental health disorders and to use the ALGEE method for providing aid: Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen nonjudgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help and other support strategies. The MHAT-ES program will utilize the Adult MHFA curriculum with the Public Safety, Fire/EMS, and Higher Education modules, as appropriate. The MHFA Public Safety and Fire/EMS modules are specifically designed for first responders and address recognizing mental health challenges in other emergency services staff. The MHAT-ES program will increase (1) the number of emergency services professionals who are trained in MHFA; (2) the ability of emergency services professionals to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental disorders when responding to calls in the community and when they are exhibited by other emergency services staff; and (3) the number of individuals referred for behavioral health and support services made by emergency services professionals. Wheeler anticipates 1,200 individuals will be referred for behavioral health services or supports as a result of this grant.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
