Helping Others in Emotional Crisis

How do you help someone experiencing an emotional crisis, such as depression, alcohol abuse, an eating disorder or being suicidal? Dick’s guests, Cindy Johnson and Dan Muxfeld, talk about Mental Health First Aid, a program that helps the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The eight-hour, nationwide course benefits a wide variety of professionals, from teachers to police officers to nurses to parents.

“(Mental Health First Aid) is about providing ongoing support for people in the community,” Johnson, a clinical social worker, said. “Decreasing the stigma (around mental health) is a huge part … and to not buy into the fear that’s out there.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS