The breadth of mental illness is remarkable. Most people are familiar with diagnoses like major depression and bipolar disorder. But mental illnesses also include anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders and others. In fact, the overwhelming majority of mental illnesses are usually invisible to the outside world. Mass shootings may grab national headlines, but they and other violent acts are very rare consequences of mental illness. Statistics show that people with mental illnesses are at increased risk of being a victim of violent crime, not a perpetrator of it.
Most often, mental illness is a quiet, private tormentor. It can rip families apart, ruin careers and shatter the lives of once happy, productive children and adults. Untreated, it is a significant contributor to homelessness, suicide, disability, absenteeism and inappropriate incarceration. On average, people living with a serious mental illness die 25 years earlier than other Americans, largely due to other treatable medical conditions that are complicated by mental illness.
There are more than 44 million adults in the United States living with a diagnosable mental illness. That’s 18 percent of adults, a number that only increases when drug and alcohol addiction is included. Just over 20 percent of children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental disorder. In fact, it’s far more likely that we’ll encounter a friend, co-worker, student or family member in a mental health crisis than in a swimming pool accident or during a heart attack. If we are trained to provide CPR, we should know how to respond to mental crises, as well.
Recognizing the signs that someone needs help for a mental illness is among the most important skills we can learn. Fortunately, there are resources right here in the Rio Grande Valley that offer free/convenient Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training that could save a life.
The training won’t turn you into a psychiatrist. That’s not necessary. We just need to know what signs to look for and some simple steps we can take to provide quick help. That’s why it’s called “First Aid.” The standardized curriculum teaches the signs of substance use disorder and mental illnesses, the impact of these disorders, a 5-step action plan to assess a situation and local resources that provide professional help.
From pastors and police officers to teachers and parents, attendees across the country are singing the training’s praises. Right here in the Rio Grande Valley, 628 people have already taken the course offered through Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (TTBH) in the past twelve months. The majority of course graduates came from San Benito, Brownsville, Point Isabel, Harlingen, Lyford, Mercedes, Weslaco, Mission and McAllen school districts. TTBH has thirteen Certified Youth MHFA Instructors and nine Certified Adult MHFA Instructors, of which three are dually certified.
Indeed, the causes and consequences of mental illness are complicated. But Mental Health First Aid is a simple step we can take to make sure we’re prepared to help a friend, loved one or co-worker in need. As Mental Health Awareness Month kicks off, now is a great time to learn more about local trainings and register to attend.
For information about when Mental Health First Aid trainings are available in city/town, visit our website at www.ttbh.org.
For more information about the Mental Health First Aid curriculum, visit http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
(Pictured: Tropical Texas Behavioral Health’s Youth and Adult Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors)