One of the causes close to both of our founders, Karla and Zach’s hearts is mental health awareness and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. They believe that everyone should have access to mental health support and are determined to do all that they can to reduce the number of teens and young people who feel helpless and without the support that they need.
Karla and Zach have completed their training with Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). ASIST is an intensive, interactive, and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize and review risk, and intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. It is by far the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention training workshop in the world.
They also are both certified in Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. It is an evidence based program for staff and managers, and a proactive step towards building a psychologically healthy and safe workplace. MHFA trained employees will be equipped to recognize and understand the symptoms of mental health problems, including those related to substance use; increase productivity and reduce absenteeism and the pressure on health benefits costs; reduce the stigma around mental illness and create mental wellness within your workplace and provide preventative help for mental health problems developing into more serious states.
If you’re working towards being a better ally to those with mental health conditions or who are dealing with a difficult time with their mental health, one of the best things you can do is listen and offer an ear without giving advice or passing judgement. Let them feel seen and understood and remind them how much they are loved. If you want to learn more about being a good ally to all, check out our Ally Workshop Series.
What are you doing to be a good ally for mental health awareness? Start a conversation below.
2 comments
I highly recommend taking this workshop series, the learnings were Immense and many times I worried am I the right person to keep someone a live. But by the end of training your confidence increases 2 fold.
This is so inspiring. I haven’t heard of ASIST but it sounds like a wonderful program. I would consider doing it as well after your positive experience. Thanks for sharing this.