Veterans Mental Health First Aid

Research suggests that 22 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States. Unfortunately, nearly half of all cases of behavioral health concerns among veterans are untreated. Identifying effective interventions that increase services and access to care for veterans in the community has the potential to have a significant public health impact. This abstract provides a summary of an innovative project to address the increasing rate of veterans suicide.

The lack of knowledge, persistent stigma about mental health, and negative attitudes toward treatment are among the most significant barriers of veterans. With the increased rates of untreated behavioral health needs among veterans, identifying effective interventions for decreasing barriers to care is a national priority. Veterans barriers to care include lack of knowledge about mental health treatment and a strong tendency toward self-reliance.

Research has reflected the education about military mental health needs and challenges is a critical strategy to increase access to care for military personnel adequately in the community.

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program developed to address the lack of knowledge about mental health in the community. MHFA is a live training program (like First Aid or CPR) designed to give people the skills to assist someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of specific mental health conditions. The MHFA adaption for use with the veteran population included the addition of mental health issues of veterans and their families. The Military MHFA is a promising intervention for reducing barriers to care.

The MHFA aligns with the VA Secretary’s suicide prevention priority. The training educates the community participates to identify and intervene during a mental health crisis, therefore, the veteran will receive assistance needed to deescalate their eminent mental health emergency situation. To prevent suicides, access to care needs to be increased and the stigma surrounding mental health issues needs to be decreased. MHFA program implementation has assisted participants to be more comfortable and aware of the mental health issues confronting our veterans.

Many veterans are out there wishing for something better, hoping that assist will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is – assisting veterans to connect with care and ultimately discover a better place….