SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re wrapping up our series on mental health.
Chances are, you or someone you know knows CPR, a first aid tool when someone has a heart attack.
But, do you know how to provide first aid for someone’s mental health? An organization is providing resources to help you approach a student or child who needs help.
The training is called the ALGEE Action Plan. Plains Area Mental Health Center is adding this tool to the toolbox of teachers, coaches, parents, and mentors.
The training is called the ALGEE Action Plan. Plains Area Mental Health Center is adding this tool to the toolbox of teachers, coaches, parents, and mentors. It will tell them what to look for in today’s youth.(Plains Area Mental Health Center)
It will tell them what to look for in today’s youth.
ALGEE is a 5-step framework taught in Mental Health First Aid to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge.
These steps can be used in any order, talking about the approach, listening, giving, and encouraging.
A: Approach and assess for risk of suicide or harm.
Kristin Sebastian, a case manager for Plains Area Mental Health, said, “So you may come across a youth that pretty well, and they’re just like acting different.” She continued, “Say you’re a teacher and you’re just noticing something off, pulling them into the hallway, staying late after class. It can be anywhere at any time. So you just have to kind of be ready for it. Just asking them if they want to have a conversation, just kind of be curious about it.”
Jessie Huitink, a psychotherapist with Plains Area Mental Health, said, “Maybe you notice this kid, and that’s not their typical behavior. You might have a reason to check in. This is a way to guide yourself through what that conversation might look like.”
L: Listen non-judgmentally.
“I think the best thing we can do is sit there and just be a listening ear, fully engage with the youth,” said Sebastian.
Huitink added, “It’s not about the opportunity for you to share your experience. It’s can we legitimately help a youth feel like they’re heard?”
G: Give reassurance and information.
Sebastian said, “validating their feelings and repeating it back to them to make sure you’re understanding correctly and engaged in the conversation that you’re having.”
E: Encourage appropriate professional help.
Sebastian added, “refer them to a mental health clinic, whether that be Plains area or other places where they’re comfortable going.”
E: encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Huitink said, “You’re the first encounter that this teenager or youth, because age range can vary, I’d say, to have a decent conversation with somebody above the age of 10. But you say, first aid, because who’s the first responder? It’s like CPR, but for your brain.”
Plains Area Mental Health Center is adding the tool of Youth Mental Health First Aid to the toolbox of teachers, coaches, parents, and mentors.(KTIV)
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to executing this plan; you don’t even have to use every single step to provide support.
Every situation will be different. So, if you are a youth leader, hospital worker, parent, or anyone who interacts with kids is encouraged to go through this Mental Health First Aid training.
If you are interested in Mental Health First Aid training, there is another course coming up.
The next Youth Mental Health Training will be on Monday, June 15, from 9 am to 4 pm. It will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
As a reminder, it is free to attend.
Learn more about this free training resource by following this link.
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