Introduction to Mental Health First Response

Course Available
3 Units
Online Self-Paced

Course Description

Become a Leader with Mental Health First Response Awareness - A Fully Online Program

Introduction to Mental Health First Response is one of five courses in the Mental Health First Response Certificate program. In much the same way that traditional first aid is designed to save the life of a person in crisis, Mental Health First Response focuses on saving lives by recognizing the emotional distress, depression and other issues impacting students. These issues increasingly lead to suicide, violence and harm to self or others when not appropriately addressed in a timely manner. This course will prepare teachers and other school professionals to identify, interact with and make appropriate referrals for students with emotional, mental and social issues. Teachers will also focus on issues, specifically those that may lead to gun violence and/or harm to self or others within a school setting. Additional topics will include how to work with community resources to create and implement an appropriate preparedness plan and use "universal precautions" to preserve staff and student safety.

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for K-12 educators, as well as other school professionals, such as school nurses, psychologists, counselors and administrators. Parents and school volunteers can also benefit from this program.

Course Materials: Text, Pocket Guide to Crisis Intervention (paperback), by Albert Roberts and Kenneth Yeager. This book is available at your local bookstore or online at Amazon.com.

Technical Requirements

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
EDU-X791J – 037 Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504

Introduction to Mental Health First Response

Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Monica Hubert

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

What You Will Learn

  • Demonstrate familiarity with current federal initiatives to address childhood mental health issues such as Project AWARE, Safe Schools and other initiatives
  • Identify mental health first response definitions, history of mental health and illness issues among children
  • Familiarize yourself with common types of mental health conditions encountered in a school setting including signs and symptoms which may lead to referral
  • Understand various causes and types of crisis events which may exacerbate or cause mental health issues in children
  • Identify at-risk students or situations, make appropriate referrals and collaborate with professionals in order to support students by building resilience and providing early intervention
  • Determine the universal precautions to maintain safety standards when presented with a crisis situation
  • Explore pertinent barriers, beliefs and pro-social behavior associated with mental health issues in the school

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

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Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

  • Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
  • Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
  • Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
  • Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

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