First-Aid Course for the Mentally Ill? Just a First Step!
A January 17 Washington Post article, “Shooting in Tucson sparks interest in 'mental health first aid' courses,” by Rachel Saslow, cites the Washington-based National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s (NCCBH) position that “learning how to identify and help people with mental illnesses should be a first aid skill as common as CPR.” NCCBH also point to the fact that we are too quick to blame mental illness for such senseless acts as the Tucson massacre. Although the mentally ill are statistically no more violent than the non-mentally ill, there are other factors to consider before we all sign up for a first aid course targeted to the mentally ill. While most people would certainly agree, especially those with relatives and friends who suffer from mental illness that a more pro-active, compassionate and skilled approach to dealing with the mentally ill is necessary, there has to also be a shift in our culture, and especially among law enforcement officials, towards prevention. Let’s not continue to wait until people are harmed before we respond. For more on the course in Washington, DC, go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 18, 2011:
Rachel Saslow
Learning how to identify and help people with mental illnesses should be a first aid skill as common as CPR…
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