About Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives participants the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. MHFA takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. Mental Health First Aiders are individuals who want to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all. For more information, visit: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/.
Why MHFA
When somebody is suffering from physical trauma, most people would know to call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts. Mental health complications are inconspicuous, and individuals experiencing mental health difficulties often do not receive the proper assistance they need.
Having UCI employees trained under the MHFA curriculum can help achieve the goal of promoting employee mental health wellness through decreasing stigma of mental health within the UCI community, raising awareness of UCI mental health resources, and lowering stress, anxiety and depression rates amongst the UCI community. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they need, and even save lives.
Program Goals
Have UCI/UCI Health certified instructors deliver the Mental Health First Aid course to UCI and UCI Health employees so they can:
- Recognize signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions
- Identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction
- Help an individual in distress
- Decrease stigma of mental health within the UCI community
- Raise awareness of UCI mental health resources
- Lower stress, anxiety and depression rates amongst the UCI community
Program Funding
The certification of UCI instructors, all training materials, and delivery of the curriculum to UCI employees will be coordinated by the UCI Faculty and Staff Support Services Office and funded in partnership by UCI Human Resources - Wellness. Once certified, UCI instructors are also able to provide the course to other UCI and non-UCI community members, such as UCI student groups or community partners. Course materials for non-UCI employee groups would not be funded, but could be separately purchased on an as needed basis.
What Does the Training Involve?
- 16 UCI employees trained as MHFA instructors will teach 8-hour virtual courses following the MHFA curriculum
- Necessary course materials for UCI-affiliated employee groups will be mailed directly free of charge
- A certificate will be issued to course participants upon passing
Scheduled Trainings
Open to all UCI and UCI Health Faculty & Staff.
| Course | Date | Time | Registration |
| MHFA Overview | Friday, April 1 | 10:00am-11:00am | Register at UCLC » |
| Friday, May 6 | 10:00am-11:00am | Register at UCLC » | |
| Friday, June 3 | 10:00am-11:00am | Register at UCLC » | |
| MHFA Certification Course (Space is limited to 20 participants) |
Friday, April 29 | 9:00am-3:30pm | Register at UCLC » |
| Tuesday, May 10 | 9:00am-3:30pm | Register at UCLC » | |
| Wednesday, May 25 | 9:00am-3:30pm | Register at UCLC » | |
| Tuesday, June 7 | 9:00am-3:30pm | Register at UCLC » | |
| Friday, June 24 | 9:00am-3:30pm | Register at UCLC » |
UCI & UCI Health Certified MHFA Instructors
| Name | Title | Department |
| Aubrey Bayoneta | Department Assistant | School of Arts |
| Cheng Ko | Senior Disability Specialist | Disability Services |
| Dean Wong | Medical Student Coordinator | SOM - Anesthesiology |
| Deana McRae | Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education | SOM - Psychiatry & Human Behavior |
| Deirdre O'Reilly | Alternative Media Specialist | Disability Services |
| Erin Knox | Director | Experiential Pharmacy Education |
| Joseph Morales | Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships | Office of Inclusive Excellence |
| Julian Thach | Financial Analyst | SOM - Pathology |
| Kaeleigh Hayakawa | Violence Prevention Coordinator | UCI CARE |
| Lou Gill | Director of Mesa Court Housing | Housing |
| Megan Enciso | Director of Student Affairs | Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing |
| Melissa Bader Huesgen | Violence Prevention Coordinator | UCI CARE |
| Negar Shekarabi | Coordinator | Faculty/Staff Support Services |
| Pirjo Carlisle | Chaplain | Patient Experience/Pastoral Care Services |