Military Connection: Mental Health First Aid for Veterans: By Debbie Gregory
“Rendering first aid” is providing the initial treatment for an injury or illness. First aid is not usually delivered by a doctor, but by whoever is closest to the affected individual. Treatment is normally minimal, and is only intended to stabilize the affected person until professional treatment can be obtained. Traditionally, first aid refers to medical treatment, but recently, researches have been applying the same concept to the initial treatment of mental healthcare for Veterans.
In April, the National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) launched the program Mental Health First Aid for Veterans. This new program was developed by Veterans for Veterans, and offers users information and techniques to identify and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance addiction.
Mental Health First Aid for Veterans is based on the original Mental Health First Aid program. The original program was designed as a training curriculum for educators, law enforcement, safety officials and community leaders as an aid to identify the signs of a developing mental illness or substance abuse addiction. Mental Health First Aid for Veterans combines the original program with the unique needs and concerns among the military and Veteran populations.
To find out more about Mental Health First Aid programs, including Mental Health First Aid for Veteran, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org . Courses run at hundreds of locations around the country. You can find the next course closest to you by clicking HERE.
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Military Connection: Mental Health First Aid for Veterans: By Debbie Gregory
