Title

Psychological First Aid

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Atlanta Public Schools

Second Presenter's Institution

na

Third Presenter's Institution

na

Fourth Presenter's Institution

na

Fifth Presenter's Institution

na

Strand #1

Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

Psychological First Aid for the school community is needed to assist in promoting good mental healthcare and to increase awareness for removing barriers to mental health services. An increased awareness of mental health issues promotes empathy, helps in removing stigmas, and increases appropriate responses in a crisis or non-crisis situation. Research indicates the need for community care of mental health concerns for healthy outcomes for the individuals, schools, families, and all other stakeholders.

Brief Program Description

Within the school community, students and adults struggle with mental issues in silence across the country. This session will discuss "Psychological First Aid for the School Community." The purpose of this session includes (1) increasing the awareness of mental health issues within the school community, (2) increasing self and community advocacy, (3) becoming a trauma responsive school community, and (4)addressing barriers that promote stigmas to enhance guidelines for best practices. Additionally, this session will promote resiliency, well-being, and wholeness by presenting strategies for self-care and self-compassion within an urban school community setting.

Summary

This proposal relates to the mental and physical health strand as well as the social and emotional skills strand. The overall objective is to discuss critical mental health issues in order to cultivate an environment that promotes academic, social, personal, physical, and emotional success within the school community for all stakeholders. "Psychological First Aid for the School Community" increases the awareness of mental health issues through role playing and case studies, informs of trauma, increases self and community advocacy by collaboration, addresses barriers to eliminating stigmas, discusses strategies that are culturally relevant, and promotes well-being and wholeness.

Evidence

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year. Source: Any Mental Illness (AMI) Among Adults. (n.d.).

Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%. Any Disorder Among Children. (n.d.)

More than 90% of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institute of Mental Health.

79%- The percentage of all U.S. suicides committed by men.

40,000,000- The number of adults who suffer from anxiety disorder in the US.

30%-The number of college students who reported feeling depressed to the point where it negatively impacted their ability to function. Approximately 7.5 percent of college students also reported earlier this year that they seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Beverly Smith is the Engagement Specialist (formerly titled Behavior Specialist) at South Atlanta High School (Atlanta, Georgia) with over 21 years of experience in the Human Service/Counseling field. A few of her credentials include being a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Clinical Mental Health Counselor, National Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a National Board Certified Counselor. Some of her areas of specialization include Counseling, Clinical Behavioral Healthcare, Trauma Care, Post-Traumatic Growth, Mindfulness, Employee Assistance Services, and Psychological Disaster Care. Dr. Smith embraces the school's motto of "creating a caring culture through relationships."

Keyword Descriptors

Psychological, Social & Emotional Learning, First Aid, Mental Health, School Community

Presentation Year

March 2018

Start Date

3-5-2018 10:30 AM

End Date

3-5-2018 11:45 AM

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COinS
 
Mar 5th, 10:30 AM Mar 5th, 11:45 AM

Psychological First Aid

Within the school community, students and adults struggle with mental issues in silence across the country. This session will discuss "Psychological First Aid for the School Community." The purpose of this session includes (1) increasing the awareness of mental health issues within the school community, (2) increasing self and community advocacy, (3) becoming a trauma responsive school community, and (4)addressing barriers that promote stigmas to enhance guidelines for best practices. Additionally, this session will promote resiliency, well-being, and wholeness by presenting strategies for self-care and self-compassion within an urban school community setting.