Welcome to
Westland Education
Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack — we’d start CPR or call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or showing signs of alcohol use disorder.
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Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
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This evidence-based, early-intervention course, administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is available virtually and in-person and uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to teach the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges as well as how to provide initial support until they are connected with appropriate professional help.
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I offer training sessions to become certified in Mental Health First Aid for Adults or Mental Health First Aid for Youth.
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In-person class: I provide 7.5 hour in person training sessions
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Blended class: I provide 4.5 or 5.5 hour training (either in-person or virtual) in conjunction with learners completing a 2-hour online self-paced instruction.
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Class sessions are limited to 30 persons per class.
Melinda Westland
National Mental Health First Aid Instructor
209.639.3964
Why Mental Health First Aid?
What does Mental Health First Aid cover?
Mental Health for Higher Education
Mental Health First Aid — Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge.
Demonstrate your commitment to a safe and supportive campus by offering Mental Health FirstAid for Higher Education, a course that teaches how to support a student, friend or colleaguewho may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
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Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
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Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
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How to interact with a person in crisis.
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How to connect a person with help.
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Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
Adults Experience Mental Health Disorder:
1 in 5
Adults Experience Mental Health Disorder During a Lifetime
50%
More than 20 million Americans ages 12 and older will face an addiction.
20m+
On Average
130
people die by suicide every day
From 1999 to 2019,
841,000
people died from drug overdoses
50%
of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and
75% by the mid-20s
About
My name is Melinda Westland
As a professor at San Joaquin Delta College, I have the joy of teaching both adult and adolescent learners. My students have tremendous potential, which makes me continuously fall in love with the art of teaching.
I earned my doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, my Master's and Bachelor's degrees from San Jose State University, and my Mental Health Instructor Certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
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I look forward to working with you to create a plan to educate your employees, volunteers, students, and others to become certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Services
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MHFA Training for those working with Adults
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
WHAT IT COVERS
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Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
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Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
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How to interact with a person in crisis.
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How to connect a person with help.
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Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
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Employers.
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Police officers.
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Hospital staff.
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First responders.
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Caring individuals.
MHFA Training for those working with Youth
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
WHAT IT COVERS
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Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
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How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
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How to connect the youth with help.
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Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
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Teachers
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School Staff
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Coaches
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Camp Counselors
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Youth Group Leaders
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Parents
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Adults who Work with Youth
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3
MHFA Training for those working in Higher Education
Our engaging training program will help you decrease stigma, address tough challenges, and allow your students, professors and other school faculty to show up fully in their daily lives and support those around them.
WHAT IT COVERS
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The relevance of mental health to the campus community.
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Risk factors and protective factors specific to the higher education setting.
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Using the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in scenarios designed specifically for faculty, administration and students.
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National, campus and community mental health resources.
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT
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Students ages 18 and up
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Campus clergy
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Faculty
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Financial aid employees
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Resident advisors
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Coaches and athletic personnel
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Academic and career advisors • Administrators