The Importance of Mental Health First Aid
Let's say that you're at a swimming pool and you notice someone is drowning in the deep end. You then notice the lifeguard jump into action to assist the struggling swimmer. As soon as the swimmer is pulled out of the water, the lifeguard instructs a specific observer to contact 9-1-1, and the lifeguard assesses the situation and administers their training as they see fit. The lifeguard's objective is to keep the swimmer alive and safe until deeper support services arrive.
An individual certified in Mental Health First Aid is a mental health lifeguard.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR THE MUSIC COMMUNITY?
The Music Industry Research Association (MIRA), in partnership with the Princeton University Survey Research Center and MusiCares, released their inaugural study in August 2018 on musicians to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities they face working in the music industry.
The findings of this survey show that, on average:
50% of musicians report "feeling down, depressed, or hopeless" for at least several days in the last two weeks, compared with less than 25% of the wider adult population.
12% of musicians also reported having "thoughts that you would be better off dead or hurting yourself in some way" during at least several days in the last two weeks, compared with 3.4% for the general population.*
Musicians make less than the average American
Face higher rates of discrimination and sexual harassment
Disproportionally struggle with mental health and substance abuse
Compared to the general U.S. adult population, musicians are:
Twice as likely to drink alcohol frequently (four or more times per week) than the population as a whole (31 percent versus 16 percent)
2.8 times more likely to have used heroin or opium in the last month
3.5 times more likely to have used meth in the last month
5 times more likely to have used cocaine in the last month
6.5 times more likely to have used ecstasy in the last month
13.5 times more likely to have used LSD in the last month
See more mental health and music stats here.
"It was so incredibly useful and timely - I do agree that our next big crisis is going to be surrounding mental health, and I'm glad to be better equipped to help our community."
- Nikki Rae, concert and event photographer
Music Minds Matter is now available to host Mental Health First Aid trainings for our music community.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems
Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use
A 5-step action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis
Available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources
I’M INTERESTED IN BECOMING CERTIFIED! WHAT’S NEXT?
Once we get you registered for a virtual MHFA course, you will then
receive an email that has your participant processing guide (PPG), your MHFA participant manual, and self-care guide
complete 2 hours of pre-course work
After you complete your pre-course quiz, you will then participate in a 6-hour online interactive course.
Once successfully completed, you will
Receive an email to complete a short course evaluation and post-course quiz.
You'll then receive your certificate in Mental Health First Aid from your instructors that will be good for three years from the dated certificate.
STILL NEED MORE INFO?
No worries at all! PLEASE don’t hesitate reaching out at team@musicmindsmatter.org and we’ll get all your questions answered!