Behavioral Health
In collaboration with PCC’s Family and Human Services program, PDT is proud to offer a micro-credentialing series in Behavioral Health First Aid. Gain tools for supporting the mental health and well-being of clients/patients and deepen your understanding of behavioral health. This series includes three stand-alone courses that together bring an elevated set of skills in mental health and suicide first aid for both youth and adults.
Courses
The following courses are available as part of the Behavioral Health First Aid micro-credentialing series or as stand-alone courses. Students must complete two of the three Mental Health First Aid courses (MHFA: Adults, MHFA: Higher Education and MHFA: Youth) and the ASIST course to qualify.
Mental Health First Aid: Adults
Provides key skills to help adults who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Covers mental health literacy, including identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of mental illness. Required: Full attendance is mandatory to meet adult Mental Health First Aid certification requirements from the National Council on Behavioral Health.
You’ll learn:
- How to recognize potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury.
- How to use a 5-step action plan to help individuals in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.
- To examine the prevalence of various mental health disorders in the United States and about the need for reduced stigma.
- To apply knowledge of available professional, peer, social, and self-help resources in order to help someone with a mental health problem, treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery.
- To assess personal views and feelings about mental health problems and disorders.
Mental Health First Aid: Higher Education
Prepare your campus to address mental health and substance use challenges commonly experienced in higher education settings. Developed by people with lived experience of mental health challenges and professionals, this course teaches early intervention techniques and improves mental health literacy to help you understand, identify and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
WHAT IT COVERS
• The relevance of mental health to the campus community.
• Risk factors and protective factors specific to the higher education setting.
• Using the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in scenarios designed specifically for faculty, administration and students.
• National, campus and community mental health resources.
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
• Students ages 18 and up
• Faculty
• Resident advisors
• Academic and career advisors
• Campus clergy
• Financial aid employees
• Coaches and athletic personnel
• Administrators
The course will teach you how to
• apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
• Listen nonjudgmentally.
• Give reassurance and information.
• Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
Mental Health First Aid: Youth
Provides key skills to help an adolescent (12-18 years) who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Covers common mental health disorders and potential crises such as helping a young person: who is having a panic attack, is contemplating suicide, or is struggling with substance use disorders. Full attendance is mandatory to meet Youth Mental Health First Aid certification requirements from the National Council on Behavioral Health.
You’ll learn:
- How to recognize potential risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including: depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavioral disorders, and substance use disorders.
- How to use a 5-step action plan to help a young person in crisis connect with appropriate professional help.
- How to interpret the prevalence of various mental health disorders in youth within the U.S. and about the need for reduced negative attitudes in their communities.
- To apply knowledge of available professional, peer, social, and self-help resources in order to help someone with a mental health problem, treat and manage the problem and achieve recovery.
- To assess personal views and feelings about mental health problems and disorders.
ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Provides key skills to recognize, intervene, and assist those at risk for suicidal thinking and behavior. Includes identifying appropriate support strategies to keep an individual safe.
You’ll learn:
- To understand how personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions
- To provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs
- To identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
- To appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
- To recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care
Who are these classes for and how can I register?
Courses are designed for health professionals, law enforcement, government employees, counselors, social workers, educators, nurses, addictions professionals, and more. Meet your continuing education needs while learning the latest emotional, cognitive, and behavioral health tools from experts in the field. Looking to bring this training to your workplace? Contact our Contract Training Coordinator and request a quote!
MHFA Research Summary infographic
Course Planning Guide
Fall 2023: MHFA Adults. November 17. 9:00am-4:50pm. Remote.
Winter 2024: MHFA Youth. February 10. 9:00am-4:50pm. Remote.
Winter 2024: MHFA Higher Education: February 16. 9:00am-4:50pm. In person.
Spring 2024: ASIST. May 17 & 18. 8:30am-5:20pm. In-Person at Sylvania.
Meet the Instructors
Andrew S. Garland-Forshee, PhD, HS-BCP, RYT 500, CTSS
Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee (“Dr. Andrew” to his students) holds over 25 years of experience in the fields of education, family services, social and human services. These experiences range from at-risk youth programs, early education environments, parenting education and early childhood laboratory settings, to college teaching, human services settings, intervention programs, research, and program regulation. He currently serves as Department Chair of the Family and Human Services program.
Sally Guyer, MSW
Professor, Family and Human Services Program
Field Education Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Email: sally.guyer@pcc.edu
Office: Sylvania Campus CDC 210
Sally comes from the field with over 30 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in a variety of settings from residential treatment to Head Start to having her own consulting and training firm. In addition to teaching at PCC, Sally is the Clinical Director for an Adoption Agency and continues providing training and consulting throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Melissa Gritz LMSW MSED GC-ITMH
Melissa holds a Masters in Social Work from University of Southern California, a Graduate Certificate focused in Infant Toddler Mental Health, & a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Portland State University
Jill Tuleya, MA, E-RYT, C-IAYT
Jill Tuleya has been with PCC since 2012. Jill teaches Yoga and Meditation for Physical Education, Yoga Teacher Training courses for Exercise Science and Mental Health First Aid for Child & Family Studies. She is currently completing advanced trainings with Duke Integrative Medicine to pursue NBC-HWC certification with The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) who, in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), provides the gold standard in health and wellbeing coach credentialing. Find out more on her staff page: https://www.pcc.edu/staff/jill-tuleya15/