MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID USA Certification Standards

Transcription

1 MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID USA Certification Standards For Instructors amended August 2012 For Mental Health First Aiders Final as of April 2010, amended August 2012 Page 1

2 Table of Contents I. Introduction and Overview... 3 II. Definition of Terms... 4 III. Certification Standards for Mental Health First Aiders... 6 III.A Prerequisites for Members of the Public Taking MHFA-USA... 6 III.B Obtaining Mental Health First Aid Certification... 6 III.C Maintaining Mental Health First Aid Certification... 6 IV. Certification Standards for Instructors... 8 IV.A Prerequisites to Taking the Instructor Training... 8 IV.B Obtaining Instructor Certification... 9 IV.C Maintaining Instructor Certification IV.D Instructor Recertification V. Certification Standards for Trainers... Error! Bookmark not defined. Page 2

3 I. Introduction and Overview Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program designed to improve mental health literacy. The concept is based on the model of medical first aid. MHFA offers a track record of reducing stigma associated with mental illnesses and increasing the assistance offered to those experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. The program was developed in 2001 by Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in Canberra, with a grant from the ACT Department of Health and Community Care. Since April 2005, the Mental Health First Aid program has been under the auspices of the ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne. Mental Health First Aid-USA adapts the Australian Mental Health First Aid program for the United States. Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm have granted permission to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare to reproduce, adapt, update, and copyright the original materials for the purpose of improving knowledge and skills to respond to mental health issues in the United States. Implementation of evidence-based programs mandates attention to fidelity. These certification standards reflect the current knowledge base established through extensive evaluation of the program in Australia. The application of these standards is critical to the success of MHFA-USA. Certification standards are complex, evolving, and will be reviewed biannually or as needed. Additionally, standards will be updated to reflect new training resources and program evaluation requirements under development. The certification standards outlined in this manual apply to the adult MHFA-USA program and the accompanying manual and training materials developed for the 12-hour adult course to be delivered to the general population. As the manual and training materials are updated or versions/supplements are developed for specific populations, the appropriate revisions and adaptations to these standards will be made. Page 3

4 II. Definition of Terms Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help given to someone manifesting a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis before appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support, can be engaged. Mental Health First Aid-USA: The Mental Health First Aid program adapted for implementation in the United States, with permission from the founders Betty Kitchener and Tony Jorm. Unless otherwise indicated, all requirements and references in these standards apply to Mental Health First Aid-USA. MHFA Adult Course: The 12-hour course designed to teach the general public how to provide help and assistance to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis until appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support, can be engaged. This course must be taught by a certified MHFA-USA Instructor. MHFA Course: Unless needing to be otherwise specified, both the 8-hour Youth and 12-hour Adult Courses may be referred to as simply the MHFA course or the course. MHFA Curriculum Module: A packet of materials and information, developed by the MHFA USA National Authorities, designed to prepare MHFA instructors to tailor the MHFA Course to a specific audience group (eg, Higher Education). A module is designed to overlay MHFA Course content, but is not a separate course type. MHFA Instructor Training Course: The 5-day (32-hour) training to train and certify Instructors to teach either the 12-hour Adult course or the 8-hour youth course. This course must be taught by a certified MHFA Trainer or Trainers. MHFA Instructor: A person who is certified to teach the 12-hour MHFA-USA adult course to members of the general public. MHFA Trainer: A person who is certified to teach the MHFA-USA Instructor training course to Instructors. MHFA Certification: The process of getting trained and approved to be a Mental Health First Aider (certified in Mental Health First Aid), an Instructor of any of the public MHFA courses (certified MHFA instructor), or a Trainer of the Instructors (certified MHFA Trainer). Each of these has separate requirements, detailed in the rest of this document. MHFA-USA National Authorities: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare the three entities licensed to manage and disseminate MHFA-USA. Only these three National Authorities are authorized to certify Trainers, Instructors, and Mental Health First Aiders, in accordance with the standards Page 4

5 in this document. Any disputes or questions about adherence to or exceptions to these standards must be addressed through discussion and consensus between the three National Authorities. Youth MHFA Course: The 8-hour course designed to teach individuals who interact with youth and young adults how to provide help and assistance to a young person experiencing a mental health problem or crisis until appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support, can be engaged. This course must be taught by a certified Youth MHFA-USA Instructor(s). Youth MHFA Instructor: A person who is certified to teach the 8-hour Youth MHFA- USA course to members of the general public. Page 5

6 III. Certification Standards for Mental Health First Aiders Members of the public must meet all requirements described in this section in order to be certified in Mental Health First Aid - USA. III.A Prerequisites for Members of the Public Taking MHFA-USA A person wishing to take either the 12-hour adult or 8-hour youth MHFA-USA course must register with the hosting organization offering the course through a certified MHFA-USA Instructor. The candidate must provide contact information and satisfy any enrollment fee charged by the hosting organization. See Table 1. III.B Obtaining Mental Health First Aid Certification To become certified in MHFA, a person must show that they have achieved proficiency in the tenets of the program by attending the entire course and passing the MHFA-USA National Exam (see row B in Table 7). The decision of the Instructor regarding whether a person fulfills these requirements is final. Once a person meets these requirements, s/he will be given a dated certification, good for three years. An attendee may also request a Certificate of Attendance if s/he needs to document attendance at the course, or s/he fails the exam or chooses not to take it. The Certificate of Attendance will state that the person attended the course but is not certified in MHFA- USA. This option is only available to those who attend the entire course. III.C Maintaining Mental Health First Aid Certification A person s Mental Health First Aid certification is valid for three years, starting from the date certification is received. At the end of each three-year period the person will need to renew his/her certification by completing a MHFA-USA refresher course and passing an exam. The refresher course and exam will be administered by the National Authorities and may require payment of a recertification fee. The refresher course will contain updates to the MHFA-USA curriculum, recent developments in mental health knowledge, and review of key MHFA concepts. The refresher course and exam will be available in multiple convenient formats. Decisions of the National Authorities regarding a given person s recertification are final. Page 6

7 Table 1: Obtaining & Maintaining Mental Health First Aid Certification A. Prerequisites to taking MHFA course B. Obtaining certification C. Failure to obtain certification D. Maintaining Mental Health First Aider Certification Register one s contact information and intent to take the training with the organization offering the MHFA course through a certified MHFA-USA Instructor. Satisfy any enrollment fee charged by the hosting organization. To obtain MHFA certification, an applicant must: Attend the full MHFA course Pass the MHFA-USA quiz administered during the course Note that not all people who complete the course will be seeking certification. Those wishing to receive only a certificate of attendance are not required to pass the quiz although everyone will take it as a class exercise. If all requirements are fulfilled, the applicant will receive dated certificate good for 3 years from the date of issue. The Instructor s decision regarding each applicant s certification is final. If a person fails any of the certification criteria, there is no remediation/appeal but s/he may take the course again and try for certification again, as many times as desired. Mental Health First Aid certification must be renewed every 3 years. Renewal requires completing the MHFA- USA refresher course and passing an exam. After successful completion of the refresher course and exam, and payment of any required recertification fee, the person will be issued a new 3-year certification certificate. Page 7

8 IV. Certification Standards for Instructors UPDATED August 2012 IV.A Prerequisites to Taking the Instructor Training MHFA-USA Instructors are on the frontlines of the program and the key link to members of the public receiving Mental Health First Aid training. Instructors must be committed to disseminating Mental Health First Aid in their communities. Instructors also must be confident teachers, with the ability to accurately and effectively transfer knowledge, information, and resources and to communicate with learners to motivate, engage, and encourage empathy. Only those persons who have completed all requirements outlined in Section IV and have been awarded certification may be designated certified MHFA-USA Instructors. Only certified MHFA-USA Trainers may train and certify Instructors through Instructor trainings organized by one of the National Authorities. A National Authority may refer an applicant to trainings offered by one of the other National Parties based on availability of openings, dates, and location. Table 2. Prerequisites to Instructor Training A. Submission of Instructor Application Form and packet Potential Instructor candidates must Complete and submit the Instructor Application Form and packet within designated timeframes set by the National Authority offering the Instructor training. The Instructor Application Form and packet must be complete and in accordance with directions provided. Applicant who will be offering the MHFA-USA course as an employee of a particular organization must have their supervisor or the MHFA- USA coordinator at their organization sign the attestation page of their application. Applicant who will be offering the MHFA-USA course as an independent individual must submit one letter of support /reference from a community organization / individual who can comment on their qualifications (see application packet for guidelines). Page 8

9 Once a complete Instructor Application Form and packet is received, the National Authority or their designee will review it using the Instructor Application Review Form. Any and all communications with the applicant may be noted as information for the review. B. Review of Instructor Application Form and packet C. For cause acceptance/rejection as Instructor candidate Review criteria will focus on: Knowledge of and/or experience with mental health issues. Previous teaching/training experience (as distinguished from consulting or group facilitation skills), especially with adult learners. Demonstrated commitment to stigma reduction and public education on mental health issues. Affirmative commitment to teaching MHFA once certified. If the reviewer has questions or finds the applicant s responses or other documentation unclear, s/he may augment the written packet with a telephone interview or conversation at his/her discretion. The decision of the National Authority to accept or reject an applicant as an Instructor candidate is final. The National Authority must notify the applicant of acceptance/rejection and next steps. If an applicant is rejected for cause, s/he may be offered suggestions for remediating the gaps or problems in his/her application. S/he may reapply once s/he has addressed these gaps or problems. IV.B Obtaining Instructor Certification Once a person s application to attend MHFA-USA Instructor training is accepted, the person is referred to as an Instructor candidate. A candidate must then fulfill all of the requirements in Table 3 to become a certified MHFA-USA Instructor. During the 5-Day Instructor Training, certified MHFA-USA Trainer/s will assess Instructor candidates ability to communicate, model non-judgmental listening skills, demonstrate empathy that maintains dignity, respond with flexibility, reflect real understanding of the mental health issues under discussion, and to comprehend and maintain fidelity to the MHFA-USA curriculum while delivering the MHFA course. Page 9

10 Table 3: Instructor Certification Criteria A. Instructor training B. Instructor exam C. Instructor presentation D. Awarding Instructor certification The Instructor candidate is registered for and attends the entire 5-day (40-hour) MHFA-USA Instructor training conducted by certified MHFA- USA Trainers and organized by one of the National Authorities. The candidate receives and reviews MHFA-USA manual and training materials. During the 5-day Instructor training, candidates will receive the Instructor Take Home Exam and must return the completed exam as instructed. The exam will be graded by the Trainer and the Instructor candidate will be deemed to have passed if s/he has no more than two answers wrong. Candidates must pass the exam to be certified. The Instructor candidate will present an assigned portion of the MHFA course to the class. The Trainer/s leading the Instructor Training will provide oral and written evaluation of presentation and decide on a passing or failing grade (see Instructor Presentation Evaluation Form). Candidates must pass the evaluation to be certified. The other candidates in the training will provide peer review of this presentation, but they have no formal evaluative role. The decision of the Trainer/s to award or deny certification to any Instructor candidate in their class is final. A candidate selected for certification must sign and return the Instructor Agreement Form to maintain fidelity to the MHFA-USA curriculum and to deliver the training in accordance with requirements before s/he is given certification. At the end of the 5-day Instructor training, the Trainer/s leading the Instructor training will award certified Instructors a certificate with the date of completion. Instructor certification is valid from the date of issue if the criteria specified in Table 5 are satisfied. Page 10

11 E. Failure to obtain Instructor certification If an Instructor candidate fails to attain certification, the reasons for this should be clearly marked on the Instructor Certification Decision Form by the Trainer. A copy of the completed Instructor Certification Decision Form must be given to the Instructor candidate who fails, accompanied by verbal discussion of what s/he needs to do to attain certification the next time. The failed candidate may reapply for future Instructor training whenever s/he wishes, and should address in his/her application packet what s/he has done to remediate the reasons leading to his/her failing the first time. IV.B.a Obtaining Instructor Certification for more than one course type An instructor may wish to offer an array of versions of the Mental Health First Aid course. If they have already achieved certification as an instructor in one course type, and have maintained that certification (per table 5, below), then they may obtain the additional certification by completing all of the items outlined in Table 4. Table 4 applies only to any MHFA course type which has a distinct instructor training course. Table 4 does not apply to MHFA Curriculum Modules. Eligibility criteria for specialty designations or Curriculum Modules are listed separately from this document. Table 4: Obtaining Instructor Certification in Multiple Course Types A. Instructor training B. Awarding Instructor certification The instructor candidate registers for the Instructor Course per the guidelines in Table 2. The Instructor candidate attends the first 2.5 days of the 5-day MHFA-USA Instructor training conducted by certified MHFA-USA Trainers and organized by one of the National Authorities. The candidate receives and reviews MHFA-USA manual and training materials. The decision of the Trainer/s to award or deny certification to any Instructor candidate in their class is final. At the end of the 2.5-day portion of the Instructor training, the Trainer/s leading the Instructor training will award certified Instructors a certificate with the date of completion. Instructor certification is valid from the date of issue if the criteria specified in Table 5 are satisfied. Page 11

12 C. Failure to obtain Instructor certification If an Instructor candidate fails to attain certification, the reasons for this should be clearly marked on the Instructor Certification Decision Form by the Trainer. A copy of the completed Instructor Certification Decision Form must be given to the Instructor candidate who fails, accompanied by verbal discussion of what s/he needs to do to attain certification the next time. The failed candidate may reapply for future Instructor training whenever s/he wishes, and should address in his/her application packet what s/he has done to remediate the reasons leading to his/her failing the first time. IV.C Maintaining Instructor Certification A certified MHFA-USA Instructor must meet the requirements in Table 5 to maintain certification. Instructors who do not fulfill all of the following will no longer be considered certified and may no longer teach MHFA-USA, access MHFA materials, or participate in any educational and technical assistance activities. If an Instructor changes employment or moves to a different organization after obtaining certification, s/he will continue to maintain certification as long as s/he meets the requirements in Table 5. At the end of each MHFA course, participants will be asked to evaluate their Instructor(s) using the Course Evaluation Form. The Instructor will then submit all completed evaluation forms and a list of certified Mental Health First Aiders to the appropriate National Authority for review. Any patterns or problems noted will be documented and discussed with the Instructor. Courses may be facilitated independently or co-led by two certified Instructors. Table 5: Maintaining Instructor Certification A. First MHFA course B. Number of MHFA courses per year A certified MHFA-USA Instructor must teach (solo or along with another certified MHFA-USA Instructor) his/her first MHFA course no later than 6 months after receiving certification. To maintain certification, the Instructor must teach (solo or along with another certified MHFA-USA Instructor) at least three MHFA courses per year. Instructors are expected to teach the current version of the program. Page 12

13 C. Website and listserve registration D. Specialty Designations E. Professional development F. Course evaluations G. Notification Instructor will be added to the MHFA-USA administrative website and listserve(s) after obtaining certification. Each Instructor then must maintain his/her registration on the website and listserve with current contact information. Instructors must register upcoming courses they are conducting on the MHFA-USA administrative website. If an instructor has achieved certification to teach more than one course type, then the instructor must teach at least one of that course type per year in order to maintain the designation. Instructor must complete at least one professional development option per year from MHFA-USA. Professional development options may be offered in person or online, as determined by one or all of the three National Authorities. Instructor must maintain acceptable ratings on the Course Evaluation Form completed by Mental Health First Aid candidates attending each MHFA course conducted by the instructor. If the Instructor does not meet certification requirements, the National Authority with whom the Instructor is affiliated will notify him/her of failure to meet requirements. Depending on what is out of compliance, the National Authority may allow the Instructor to complete the requirement and regain/retain certification, require other remediation, or disallow that person s certification. IV.C Instructor Recertification MHFA USA supports and encourages individuals who were certified as instructors, but who were unable to maintain their active certification status, to be recertified if they wish to do so. Per Item G in Table 5 above, individuals who have not maintained their certification will be notified at the contact information they have on file with MHFA USA when their certification is expired. In lieu of completing the full 5-day Instructor training course, previously certified instructors have the option of reinstating their certification by completing the items outlined in Table 6. Individuals who believe their certification was deactivated in error should contact an administrative authority of MHFA USA with their concerns, as well as detailed information on previous courses held or written documentation from MHFA USA of an extension granted to them. Page 13

14 Table 6: Instructor Recertification A. Course Observation B. Recertification Refresher C. Re-Awarding Instructor Certification If an individual wishes to reinstate their certification, within 6 months from when their certification lapsed, then you must observe a minimum of 1 session (3 hours) of the course. If your certification lapsed more than 6 months ago but less than 12 months ago, then you must observe at least half of the course. If your certification lapsed more than 1 year ago, then you must observe the full course. Courses observed must be led by a certified instructor(s) and in the course type (adult, youth, public safety) in which that instructor wishes to recertify. Individuals must complete a course observation form and have the certified instructor sign this form to verify the individual s attendance. Individuals are responsible for any travel or registration costs associated with their observing another instructors course. Instructors wishing to reinstate their certification status must attend or view the MHFA USA instructor recertification webinar and pay any associated fees related to viewing the webinar. If an instructor wishes to reinstate their certification, but the recertification webinar is not yet available from MHFA USA, then they must consult with an Administrative Authority of MHFA USA directly in getting a walkthrough of key course messages, reporting and evaluation processes, and up-to-date resources and research. Individuals who complete the above should communicate their completion of these tasks to an Administrative Authority of MHFA USA. Once MHFA USA has the necessary items to verify an individual for recertification, the individual will again be considered an active instructor and listed as such on the national website. Page 14