Mental and physical well-being are inextricably tied. And a community that supports both is stronger and healthier.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. The study found that in Texas, more than 3.3 million adults have a mental health condition, and 43.4% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Not surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues.

In 2021, North Texas Healthy Communities – the arm of Texas Health that implements Blue Zones Project in Fort Worth and other well-being initiatives – invested in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. MHFA is a program offered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing designed to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance abuse. The training is not designed to be a substitute for professional intervention and treatment, but rather a way to support someone in crisis.

Most of us would know what to do if we saw someone having a heart attack – we would start CPR or, at the very least, call 911. Similarly, MHFA training provides the skills to respond to signs of addiction and mental illness. Through two hours of individual online prework and a six-hour virtual class, participants learn about potential risk factors, strategies for supporting someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Currently, North Texas Healthy Communities has four certified MHFA trainers on staff who team up to conduct the sessions about every month. Because courses are offered virtually, individuals from a wide range of backgrounds can participate. While MHFA training is ideal for hospital staff, police officers, first responders and faith leaders, the program is open to anyone who wants to learn how to help people who may be experiencing a mental health-related crisis or problem. MHFA training is also beneficial for employers, particularly those whose team members serve a broad community. In 2022, North Texas Healthy Communities helped more than 300 participants become certified Mental Health First Aiders, including employees at organizations such as Southwest Airlines, GM Financial and the University of Texas at Arlington.

The goal is to create an army of Mental Health First Aiders who support mental health efforts.

“We’re at a critical point, with a shortage of mental health professionals and many people dealing with ongoing stress,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of North Texas Healthy Communities. “While this training isn’t a substitute for professional treatment, it does help us build a community that understands how to support someone in crisis, and that makes us a healthier community overall.”

If you or your company is interested in making this important training more broadly available to individuals and organizations throughout the community, please reach out to BlueZonesProject@TexasHealth.org. There are opportunities to help underwrite the cost of training as well as provide individual or group sessions for your team.