Mental Health First Aid at Maryland's HBCUs
Often, the first signs and symptoms of mental health challenges emerge during the school-age years. Statistics show 75 percent of mental illnesses develop before age 25, making colleges and universities a critical location for early identification and intervention.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence based, international public awareness curriculum that works to destigmatize conversations around mental health while providing a tangible action plan for students and staff to address crisis and non-crisis mental health and substance use situations. MHFA is proven to increase the likelihood of bystander “helping” behaviors, but also increases the learners own mental health literacy.
MHFA does not teach learners how to diagnose or treat mental health challenges. Nor is it therapy. Rather, this training provides the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone much like those trained in CPR and physical First Aid.
The Mental Health Association of Maryland, in collaboration with Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has launched a four-year initiative to train thousands of students, faculty, and staff across each campus in MHFA.
The nationally recognized Mental Health First Aid certification is valued at $170 per person but is available for free on campus through 2025.
Throughout the life of this initiative, each campus will develop a robust cohort of instructors to teach alongside a steering committee to help build a sustainable, long-term program unique to each school. Instructor candidates are required to meet rigorous training expectations and uphold fidelity to the national standard.
This initiative is funded through a generous grant from the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration.
To schedule a training for your group, class, or department:
Bowie, Coppin, UMES - Leah Bentfield
Morgan - Januarie McDonald
To get involved as an instructor or campus champion:
Leah Bentfield, MHFA Program Manager, HBCU Initiative
LBentfield@mhamd.org