May is Mental Health Awareness Month, designed to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlight how mental illness and addiction can affect patients, providers, families, and society at large. Efforts also present an opportunity to explore mental health resources and encourage ways you can get involved in creating a stronger, healthier community.
According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults and one in six youth experience a mental health disorder each year. And while it can be difficult to know what to do or how to respond, there are ways to offer assistance and safely intervene to support families, friends, and neighbors experiencing a mental health crisis.
One resource is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). The program was first brought to the U.S. in 2008 by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Since then, it has become a full-blown movement with more than four million people certified as Mental Health First Aiders. In North Texas, MHFA training is provided by Texas Health Community Hope, Texas Health Resources’ unique approach to promoting healthier futures through a broad range of impactful initiatives, investments and collaborations. The 5-hour virtual course is offered at no cost to interested individuals, businesses and organizations in North Texas.
Similar to learning CPR or physical first aid response skills, MHFA trains people to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, along with strategies for providing initial support until the person in crisis can be connected with appropriate professional help.
Texas Health began offering MHFA in 2021 and has since certified over 900 individuals as Mental Health First Aiders. That includes the staff of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dallas (BGCD), a nonprofit that serves the intellectual, physical and social needs of youth ages 6 to 18. Juany Valdespino-Gaytan, vice president of education and well-being for BGCD, said BGCD recognized the need to help its staff identify their own mental health concerns and support the mental health needs of club members. With access to the no-cost MHFA training provided by Texas Health, the nonprofit was able to train and certify 100% of its team members before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
At the core of MHFA is a 5-step action plan called ALGEE that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support: 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.
“This was exactly what we needed to serve our mission and care for the health and well-being needs of both our staff and the youth we serve,” Valdespino-Gaytan said. “Without that full understanding, without that self-awareness, I think it is less likely for an adult to understand signs of distress. They may write those signs off as a child that is just disengaged or disinterested, but that's not always the case.”
Valdespino-Gaytan added that training has made BGCD team members better prepared to identify potential issues and ensure that Club members feel heard. “As a result of this training, we are now more equipped to direct young people to the resources and support they need to overcome any of the hurdles they may face.”
Takeaways
Mental Health First Aid courses are currently available from Texas Health every month through November 2025. No particular background or degree is required. Find more and how to register by visiting Mental Health First Aid.
In addition to MHFA training, Texas Health also provides comprehensive, compassionate behavioral health services for depression, addiction, stress and anxiety, and adolescent care. Utilizing decades of treatment experience and understanding that every patient is unique, we offer individualized treatment plans in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Learn more at https://www.texashealth.org/Health-and-Wellness/Behavioral-Health.