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), approximately 61.5 million (over one in five) adults in the United States experienced mental illness in 2024. 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 in over 35 countries, with more than 4.5 million people certified as Mental Health First Aiders just in the United States.
Texas Health Resources offers MHFA training locally through Texas Health Community Hope, Texas Health’s 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.
Since Texas Health began offering MHFA in 2021, more than 1,200 individuals have been certified as Mental Health First Aiders, including many through curated group training provided to local businesses and organizations.
The 5 Steps of the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE)
At the core of MHFA is a 5-step action plan called ALGEE that provides initial support to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis:
A – Approach and assess for risk of suicide or harm.
L – Listen nonjudgmentally.
G - Give reassurance and information.
E – Encourage appropriate professional help.
E – Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
ALGEE is not a strict checklist but rather a flexible guide to be tailored to the individual’s needs. It is intended as first aid to provide support until professional help is received, not to diagnose or to treat.
Takeaways
Mental Health First Aid courses are currently available from Texas Health every month through December 2026. No particular background or degree is required. Curated training sessions for North Texas worksites, groups or organizations (5 or more participants required) can also be requested. Learn 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/Behavioral-Health