Audience Specific MHFA

Increase your awareness! Save a life!

In addition to the standard Adult MHFA course, there are several audience-specific modules and curricula designed to address the particular challenges faced by certain communities. These courses contain information, statistics, videos, scenarios, discussion topics and resources tailored to (or for) these groups. 

Lotus trainers have gone through additional training to be able to provide these, to help address the needs of some of our most vulnerable populations.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Away from support systems that have been in place for the better part of their lives, college students may be at elevated risk for developing certain mental health and substance use challenges. MHFA for Higher Education teaches students, professors and other school faculty how to notice and respond to mental health and addiction challenges commonly experienced by youth in higher education settings.

PUBLIC SAFETY

MHFA for Public Safety provides law officers and staff with more response options to help them de-escalate incidents and better understand mental illnesses so they can respond to mental health-related situations appropriately without compromising safety.

FIRE/EMS

Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS focuses on the unique experiences and needs of firefighters and EMS personnel and is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their families’ lives and the communities in which they live. Firefighters and EMS workers learn about the importance of early intervention and how, as first responders, they can intervene in the field and provide direct assistance to someone who is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

RURAL COMMUNITIES

MHFA for Rural Communities teaches people how to notice and respond to signs of mental health and addiction challenges with a specific focus on the cultural and environmental factors related to life in rural areas. Though the prevalence of mental health challenges is largely the same in rural and urban areas, people who live in rural communities face unique obstacles in accessing care for mental health concerns. 

FAITH & SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES

Faith and community leaders are often the first point of contact when individuals and families face mental health challenges or traumatic events.

Faith and spiritual communities have diverse views on mental health and substance use as it relates to their belief systems. MHFA educates faith leaders and communities about common mental health and substance use challenges, as well as an action plan to help faith populations.

OLDER ADULTS

This course addresses the unique mental health challenges people aged 50 and older experience and teaches participants how to notice and respond to an older adult who may be living with a mental illness or addiction.

VETERANS

For some members of the military, the battle doesn’t end when they leave the battlefield. MHFA for Military Members, Veterans and their Families teaches people how to notice and respond to signs of mental health and addiction challenges with a specific focus on the cultural factors related to military life.

What People are Saying

“I wish that every corrections officer could receive Mental Health First Aid training. I believe that our corrections system would be better because of it – the inmates would benefit, the officers would benefit and ultimately our communities would benefit.”

Lt. Virgil Meyer

Lieutenant, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Just like the lotus, we too have the ability to rise from the mud,
bloom out of the darkness, and radiate into the world.
~Unknown~