Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based public education and certification program that improves mental health literacy and teaches basic skills to help someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis and connects them to professional care. During the 12 hour interactive training the individuals who participate and complete the course become certified in MHFA and are aware of the 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

The training addresses the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. The program covers symptoms, causes and evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and substance abuse.

“Early detection and treatment can make all the difference in the world to the individual suffering from mental illness and to their family. The program has helped reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and has changed people’s minds in the community about mental illness. People often start the class viewing individuals with mental illness in a negative light, but finish the training seeing the individual as a person, not their illness.” - Sharon Beals, CEO of TBHS.

The MHFA training addresses possible crisis situations arising from mental health problems and offers ways to work with individuals. Crisis situations could include a person who is feeling suicidal, a person having a panic attack, a person who has had a recent traumatic experience or a person who is acutely psychotic and perceived to be threatening violence. The program is disseminated by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Since Mental Health First Aid was first introduced in the United States in 2008, more than 20,000 people have been trained and a network of 1,350 individuals that have been trained as certified instructors for MHFA.

First aid training is widespread throughout the world to give members of the public skills to help an injured person before medical help arrives. But most first aid courses typically teach little or nothing about helping people with mental health issues. The course does not qualify persons to be a counselor, just as a conventional first aid course does not qualify someone to be a doctor or a nurse. It is designed to provide initial help before mental health services is sought.

The Mental Health First Aid course has benefited a variety of audiences and key professions, including: primary care professionals, employers and business leaders, faith communities, school personnel and educators, state police and corrections officers, nursing home staff, mental health authorities, state policymakers, volunteers, young people, families and the general public.

If you would like further information on how to have this training provided to your community group or staff members, please contact Susan Holder, Director of Marketing and Training at Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems, at 989.673.6191 or 800.462.6814. For further information on Mental Health First Aid visit: www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org

MYTH: There's no hope for people with mental illnesses.

FACT: There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and more are in the works. People with mental illnesses lead active, productive lives.

MYTH: I can't do anything for a person with mental illness.

FACT: You can do a lot, starting with how you act and speak. You can create an environment that builds on people's strengths and promotes understanding. For example:

Don't label people with words like "crazy," "wacko," or "loony" or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is "a schizophrenic," say he or she "has schizophrenia.” Don't say "a schizophrenic person," say "a person with schizophrenia.” This is called "people-first" language, and it is important to make a distinction between the person and the illness.

Learn the facts about mental health and share them with others, especially if you hear something that is not true.

Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, just as you would anybody else.

Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and do not discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education. Like other people with disabilities, people with mental health problems are protected under federal and state laws.

MYTH: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.

FACT: Actually, the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are no more violent than anyone else. People with mental illnesses are much more likely to be the victims of crime. You probably know someone with a mental illness and do not even realize it.

MYTH: Mental illnesses don't affect me.

FACT: Mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America. Mental illnesses do not discriminate — they can affect anyone.

MYTH: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.

FACT: These are different conditions. Mental retardation is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses — health conditions that cause changes in a person's thinking, mood, and behavior — have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

MYTH: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character.

FACT: Mental illnesses are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Social influences, like the loss of a loved one or a job, can also contribute to the development of various mental health problems.

MYTH: People with mental illnesses cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.

FACT: All jobs are stressful to some extent. Anybody is more productive when there is a good match between the employee's needs and the working conditions, whether or not the worker has a mental health problem.

MYTH: People with mental health needs, even those who have recovered, tend to be second-rate workers.

FACT: Employers who have hired people with mental illnesses report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) show that there are no differences in productivity when people with mental illnesses are compared to other employees. (Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999)

MYTH: Once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover.

FACT: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown that hope plays an integral role in an individual's recovery.

MYTH: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill?

FACT: Treatment varies depending on the individual. A lot of people work with therapists, counselors, friends, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers during the recovery process. They also use self-help strategies and community supports. Often they combine these with some of the most advanced medications available.

MYTH: Children don't experience mental illnesses. Their actions are just products of bad parenting.

FACT: A report from the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health showed that in any given year five to nine percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances. Just like adult mental illnesses, these are clinically diagnosable health conditions that are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

MYTH: Children misbehave or fail in school just to get attention.

FACT: Behavior problems can be symptoms of emotional, behavioral, or mental problems, rather than merely attention-seeking devices. These children can succeed in school with appropriate understanding, attention, and mental health services.

MEDIA GUIDE

What is the purpose of the Tuscola Peer Center?
To provide self-help and mutual support group services.
To provide information and referrals on health care, housing and other related services.
To advocate for the civil and legal right of individuals recieving mental health services.
To assist members to acquire self-advocacy skills.
To develop special projects over time, that will help to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Is this a Consumer driven program?
Yes. TPC Board of Directors hires the Director and Assistant Director of the Peer Center to make sure the purpose/goals of the center are carried out. A TBHS Liaison has been assigned to the Peer Center to assist with communication between the two organizations.

How much involvement does TBHS have?
The TPC Board of Directors will be accountable to TBHS, MDHHS, taxpayers, and to individuals who use the Peer Center.

How many individuals serve on the board?
The Board of Directors shall be at least one person, but not more than seven board members. The initial board members were interviewed and appointed by the CEO of TBHS. The Officers shall be a Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Interested In Serving On The Tuscola Peer Center Board of Directors?
Qualifications to serve on the Peer Center Board of Directors are:

• Past or present individual receiving community mental health services or private mental health services;

• Recovering from a mental illness or have a developmental disability;

• Must be 18 years of age;

• Ability to sign legal documents; and

• Willing to take on a leadership role.

Board applications are available upon request at Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems Administrative Services (Echols building), the Personal Independence Center, or by contacting your caseworker. If you have any questions, please call the

Peer Support Specialist at 989.673.6191 or 1.800.462.6814.

Tuscola Peer Center is a smoke free facility.

Tuscola Peer Center

Where is the Tuscola Peer Center (TPC) located?
The Peer Center is located at

406 West Frank Street
Caro, MI 48723

General Telephone #: 989-589-5824
Office Telephone #: 989-589-5820

Hours of operation are as follows:

Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Anti Stigma

Stigma is the feeling of fear or shame associated with mental illness. Despite an abundance of medical and other scientific information about mental illness, some people still believe it is a topic that should never be spoken about in public and that it is a sign of moral or personal weakness.

Stigma is ignorance – not having enough knowledge or information to really understand what mental illness is all about. Stigma includes name-calling, making jokes at the expense of those who suffer from mental illness, and perpetuating myths about the mentally ill. Stigma hurts those who work very hard to battle their illnesses. It also hurts those who have lost a loved one to suicide due to mental illness or who are trying to support their loved one as they cope with mental illness.

How can you fight stigma? First, educate yourself about mental illness. Then, use this information to inform others when you believe they do not understand the realities of mental illness. Finally, speak out. Mental illness is not a topic that should remain in the shadows of secrecy. The more people who are willing to be open about mental illness, the quicker stigma will disappear and those working to overcome these diseases will not have the additional burden of fighting people’s prejudices and false beliefs.

Click on the links below to see famous people who had/have a developmental disability or mental illness.

Famous People with Developmental Disability

Famous People with a Mental Illness

Mental Health First Aid USA

Mental Health Code

Michigan Home Based Family Services

Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

Helping Hands

Peer Support for Veterans

What A Difference A Friend Makes

Parents Guide to Recognizing & Treating Depression

211 NE Michigan

Great Start Tuscola Resource Brochure

Medicaid Provider Manual

Tips for Talking with and Helping Children & Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event

TBHS Resource Guide Brochure

After A Suicide Tool Kit for Schools

Drug Task Force Tool Kit

OK2SAY Website

Suicide Survivors Support Group

Program and Services of HDC

Ask Yourself - A Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Resource Guide

Sharing Hope: An African American Guide to Mental Health

A Resource Guide for Families Dealing with Mental Illness

Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health

What Families Need to Know about Adolescent Depression

Senior Life Solutions

Talking About Mental Health Video

MDHHS Prevention Brochure

Independent Facilitation Training

Your Guide to Special Education

Michigan Alliance For Families

Legal Services for Senior Citizens

NARCAN Flyer 2018

National Human Trafficking Hotline

To Apply for SSI: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib

SSI FAQ: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/

SSI Checklist: https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/radr/10/ovw001-checklist.pdf

To Apply for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/#anchor4

Medicare information: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10530.pdf

Checklist for applying for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/isba/10/isba-checklist.pdf

To Applying for Medicaid: www.michigan.gov/mibridges

FAQ: MDHHS - Frequently Asked Questions (michigan.gov)

Checklist: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/cost-saving-programs-for-people-with-medicare/medicare-and-medicaid/how-to-apply-for-medicaid#: