MHFA 🆘

1/23/25

👋🏽Hello Friends!👋🏽

As someone who has advocated for mental health awareness since my late teens/early adulthood, I am learning all I can about mental health, especially my own mental health. 

I started volunteering as a crisis text line volunteer, answering messages from individuals all around the nation who were experiencing a mental health crisis. I learned about active listening, resources, and risk assessment. 

Even with how passionate I was (well, still am) about mental health education and awareness, I've never gone for mental health first aid. 

🧠What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)? 

MHFA is a training program that helps participants identify, understand, and respond to mental health challenges. The program is focused on identifying mental health challenges and symptoms and offering support and resources. MHFA is NOT the same as receiving professional mental health services. 

Want to learn more about Mental Health First Aid?  

Visit: Mental Health First Aid🧠

Well, I've finally completed the training and am now Mental First Aid Certified!! 

Woo! 🥳🥳

After 6 years, but hey, it's better than never. 

The self-paced online section for the first part of the hybrid course was basically a review for me since I was a CTL volunteer and have been in mental health crisis situations where I've used the skills and techniques that were being taught. 

During the live (on Zoom) instructor-led portion of the training, I was worried that I would be a know-it-all, so I made sure to let others lead the conversations. 

Towards the end of the training, we were reviewing things that should and should not be said when talking to someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis. While reviewing the examples, I felt so triggered by the saying. I felt the anger form inside of me when hearing the examples of the things not to say to someone when they are in an emotional crisis or stress. Here are some examples: 

• Have you talked to your therapist? 

• Other people have it worse." 

• “Have you tried yoga, exercising, or meditation?” 

• “There are lots of people who have it much worse than you.” 

• “You wouldn’t feel this way if...” 

• “You’re just overreacting.” 

You get the picture. It's not great stuff to hear when you're in a bad mental spot. There were some more sayings on the training slides, but I completely forgot to take note of them. Words have such an impact on the mind, and in moments of mental health crisis or distress, it's important to always be caring, kind, and considerate. 

Mental Health First Aid training should be something every person should learn because it's just as important as medical first aid. Humans are complex, and we all have feelings. Training or education on how to really talk to one another, de-escalate, and truly (actively) listen to each other will lower rates of self-inflicted deaths. 

Education can be simple to learn. The mental health first aid action plan from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing has five steps that can be used in any order: 

A – Approach, 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: How MHFA Helps You Respond in Crisis and Non-crisis Situations « Mental Health First Aid 

The National Institute of Mental Health has five action steps for helping someone in emotional pain  

1. Ask 

2. Keep them safe 

3. Be There 

4. Help Them Connect 

5. Stay Connected  

5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 

While talking to people who are in emotional distress can be overwhelming, these five steps can help others in need. They are far from simple but life-saving. 

I hope this inspires you to look into MHFA! 

Until next time, friends! 💝

‐Jade

New Year's Tradition🎇

1/15/25 

👋🏽Hello Friends!👋🏽  

Every year since 2022, when I became the social chair of my sorority's alumnae society, I have organized a vision board-making event for my alumnae sisters. 

This is one of my favorite events and traditions for my sorority. 

National Vision Board Making Day is always celebrated on the 2nd Saturday in January. I love making vision boards because they're a fun way to organize and display one's personal goals for the year. 

Throughout the year, I try to do something new for my goals for the year to keep me motivated. I remember that using the SMART goal strategy is the best way to complete goals and feel productive. 

🧠What are SMART goals? 

SMART goals are acronyms for smart, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals. These factors make a goal more achievable. 

Want to learn more about SMART goals and how to apply them in your life? Check out this article: How to Set and Use SMART Goals🧠 

I also try to remember myself when I check in with my goals. I try to be mindful if I can't achieve a goal because sometimes things just don't work out. I can't control life, and that usually eases my mind a little bit more. 

For example, last year, I wanted to have at least one published piece of content online (that isn't on my personal blog), and I sent a few submissions. We'll as 2024 came to an end; I, unfortunately, did not get published. And it stinks not being able to meet the goals that I had placed, but I also try to remember that I did a lot of memorable things this year. 

Being productive and making a difference is a big part of my identity. When I don't feel that I'm meeting this (especially the way that I think I should), I feel inadequate. It doesn't matter that I have been doing "x" amount of things. 

People who know me personally will say, without a doubt, that I do A LOT. So why do I feel that I need to do more? This usually stems from the part of feeling that I have to do something remarkable to feel loved. 

Adding to my ✨new✨ New Year's tradition of making a vision board for the year, I decided to add the currently trending New Year's Bingo card. This is where I take a bingo card and fill out each box with something I want to do in 2025. I have things such as getting a tattoo, going to Chicago (which is already in the plan), reading three books, creating an aura painting, etc. 

I'm very excited to try the New Year's bingo, which I'm calling Thrive Bingo since Thrive is my 2025 word of the year! 

Until next time, friends! 💝  

‐Jade