Mental Health First Aid Canada Basic Course Information
(Pre-approved for 10 CEU)

Instructor Profile:
Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli has over 20 years of experience working within Case Management, Vocational Rehabilitation and Labour Market Re-Entry Services, providing services to the WSIB, Homewood Human Solutions, Private Rehabilitation Companies and Canadian insurance companies. She has extensive experience in Mental Health, Vocational and Employment Counselling, Transferable Skills Analysis, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Placement, and Disability Management Consulting. Renee holds a Master’s of Education in Adult Education, Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and a Post Degree Diploma in Art Therapy and has completed training in Life Care Planning and Progressive Goal Attainment Program. She is a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor (CCRC), Registered Rehabilitation Professional (RRP), as well as a Masters Certified Vocational Professional (MCVP) with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP) and is a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada and CAVEWAS. 

Description:
What is Mental Health First Aid Canada? 
One in three Canadians will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life. The earlier a problem is detected and treated, the better the outcome. Mental Health First Aid Canada gives people the skills to provide that early help that is so important in recovery.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved.
The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.
The program does not teach people how to be therapists. It does teach people how to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
• Provide initial help.
• Guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

MHFA shares the same overall purpose as traditional first aid – to save lives. It aims to:

• Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others.
• Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state.
• Promote the recovery of good mental health.
• Provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem.

The following mental health problems are covered:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychosis
• Substance Use Disorder

The following mental health crisis situations are covered:

• Suicidal behaviour
• Overdoses
• Panic Attacks
• Reactions to traumatic events
• Psychotic episodes