One of the most heartbreaking situations to be in is when a loved one is severely hurt, and we are at a loss for what to do. If someone you deeply care for is having serious mental health concerns, what is the best way to support them?
Amanda Ferstead, mental health program coordinator with Vandal Health Education, is striving to teach people the tools to deal with this question. She has been involved with the nationally recognized Mental Health First Aid program at the University of Idaho since 2018. Every semester, a mental health course is offered to students and faculty/staff separately. The course is free of charge for everyone at the university, and only takes an online sign-up to join. The course covers depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other mental health issues.
“Participants will go through two hours of prework, and then about six hours of virtual instruction with two live instructors,” Ferstead said.
In past semesters before COVID-19, the eight-hour course is offered in-person over two days. When the pandemic began, the whole curriculum was on its way to transitioning to an online format, and the developers were able to accelerate the conversion process into a multimedia class.
“We’re seeing really great engagement with the virtual option,” Ferstead said. “We’ve had our course registration fill for both the student and faculty courses this semester.”
Ferstead is glad to see the increase in engagement with the virtual option. Before, instructors would have to go out as far as McCall to teach the courses to students.
Ferstead is one of three instructors teaching the course. Due to a $40,000 grant received from the Idaho Lives Project in order to increase suicide prevention outreach, the program was able to add the third instructor, and is looking to add a fourth instructor, according to Ferstead.
Once participants complete the course, they have certification for three years, by which they must enroll in another course to maintain certification. The course is also continuously updated, so participants would learn new information every time they take the class.
“Just the same with physical first aid, (you) have to stay up to date,” Ferstead said. “It’s a good thing to have that refresher.”
Ferstead emphasized the importance of mental health awareness. It can be difficult to see the effects of mental health, and people are reluctant to talk about it. Knowing how to respond and open those conversations are helpful to provide support for others.
“It’s reducing stigma- the more people that take the course, the more people that have that knowledge about what mental health is,” Ferstead said. “It helps participants to gain the confidence to have these conversations. It’s a great opportunity to learn about responding to mental health concerns…it’s really valuable.”
The details and sign-up for Spring 2021 mental health courses have not been finalized yet, but they will be posted here.
Esther David can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Esther_David_.