Helping in a Mental Health Crisis for Educators
Because mental health crises are so common, Psych Hub decided to create a course that will help anyone to accurately describe signs of a mental health crisis and identify practical skills that may be used to support someone who needs help. This approximately 1 hour course is full of live-filmed and animated videos, as well as learner focused activities and up-to-date statistics from governing bodies and relevant scholarly articles. After finishing this course, we believe you will be able to notice signs of a mental health crisis, substance overdose or withdrawal, or suicide risk. You should also be able to list community resources for crisis support and link individuals with the help they need. NOTE: We recommend completing Mental Health Competency 1 for Educators before beginning this course and any other Mental Health Ally Series courses.
Course Overview
- ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1 hrs. 9 mins.
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Educators
- LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Introductory
- PREREQUISITE(S): None
- INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Self-paced; interactive; hybrid of audio, text, video, and learning checks
- ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Color contrast; transcripts of video components; closed captioning of audio and video components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to describe and employ the following:
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Accurately describe signs that indicate an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis and identify techniques to respond related to starting a conversation, the basics of de-escalation, and challenging situations.
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List community resources for crisis support and link individuals with the appropriate type of support.
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Identify practical skills that can be used to support a colleague experiencing a mental health crisis as well as evaluate tips for supporting someone during their recovery journey.
Course Outline
TIMED COURSE OUTLINE
Since the course is interactive and each learner will proceed at their own pace, timing is not exact. These are approximations based on average pre/post-test time of pilot testers as well as the run-time of course videos and voiceover. This course does not have to be completed in one session.
COURSE ACTIVITIES (≥ 1 HOUR 5 MINUTES)
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Course Overview & Introduction (5~ minutes)
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What is a Mental Health Crisis? (32~ minutes)
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Alcohol & Substance Overdose (2~ minutes)
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Suicide Crisis - Rocognizing the Signs (16~ minutes)
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Sources of Crisis of Support (4~ minutes)
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After a Crisis (4~ minutes)
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Conclusion (2~ minutes)
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References
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Post-Course Assessment (8+ minutes)
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Participant Evaluation (5-10 minutes)
CE Information
Texas Educators
Psych Hub is approved as a continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.Montana Educators
Psych Hub is approved as an OPI Renewal Unit Provider.Nevada Educators
Psych Hub is an approved online provider for Nevada educators.Experts
Abigail Asper, MSW
Abigail Asper was Psych Hub's Clinical Research Manager from 2019 to 2021. During her time at Psych Hub she was responsible for ensuring that Psych Hub videos and learning hubs are evidence-based, clinically sound, and trauma-informed as well, overseeing Psych Hub content research and continuing education initiatives. Along with lived experience of mental illness and losing a loved one to suicide, Ms. Asper has years of professional experience in mental health, social justice, and clinical settings. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from College of Charleston Honors College and a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Before joining the Psych Hub team, she worked as an NGO Representative to the United Nations for the International Federation of Social Workers, a case manager on an assertive community treatment team for older adults with serious mental illnesses, a victim advocate at a rape crisis center, and a phone counselor at a crisis hotline. She is also a published author, editor, and researcher. Most recently, she was an editor of Behavioral Science in the Global Arena, Volume I , a text for which she authored two chapters: “Migrant Adaptation and Well-Being” and “Gender Equity and Reproductive Justice”.
Danielle Kinsey
Danielle teaches first grade at Piper Prairie Elementary in Kansas City, Kansas. She began teaching in August 2012 after receiving her Elementary Education degree from Kansas State University. Danielle has taught first grade in Junction City and Topeka, Kansas, and learned a lot along the way. She grew up in the outskirts of Manhattan, Kansas and attended the Riley County school district Kindergarten through High School. In 2020, Danielle received her Master’s Degree from Baker University in Elementary Education and Instructional Technology. Her professional philosophy is to “Do what’s best for our kids.” She enjoys making learning practical for the 21st century with critical thinking and technology skills.
Dianne C. Vap
Dianne Vap has been in education for close to 30 years. She was a Para Educator for 17 years in special education. Dianne went back to school and completed her BS in Education with a minor in Special Education. She has taught fourth grade for 3 years and is now in her 10th year teaching 6th grade. She has enjoyed coaching junior high girls volleyball and basketball teams and is active in many school and community related activities. Dianne and her husband farm and ranch and have three children together, two daughter in laws and five grandchildren. They love to relax by riding their Harley Davidson and spending time with family and friends.
Melissa Pratt
Melissa Pratt is the senior professional programs manager in AAE’s Washington D.C. office. In this role, Melissa assists with a wide variety of projects, including office management, specialty recruiting programs, and research. Melissa also spearheads professional development initiatives and oversees the AAE Foundation National Teacher Scholarship & Classroom Grant program. Melissa graduated from Grove City College majoring in both History and Education. She spent ten years teaching middle school in private and public settings in North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Melissa’s passion is Social Studies education. Her teaching techniques in these subjects focused on implementing methods that stressed authentic learning and critical thinking skills, with heavy emphasis on primary documents, simulations, research, and the integration of technology. Having taught in rural, urban, public, and private settings, Melissa has observed that teachers in all situations face similar difficulties. She is passionate about helping teachers, no matter their teaching circumstance, and providing a professional option for all teachers. Melissa was raised in Liverpool, New York, a suburb of Syracuse, where she developed an appreciation for snow. She currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida where she appreciates the lack of snow.