May is Mental Health Awareness Month

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Since the pandemic, more communities, individuals, and organizations have been starting to have conversations about mental health. But what is mental health? What are the barriers to it, and what can we do to improve it? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well, work well, and contribute to their community. It is a critical component in our overall physical health; simply put, there is no health without mental health.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, take the time to educate yourself about the facts and myths surrounding mental health. In doing so, you can support the mental health of your family, friends, and neighbors as well as your own. One way to do this is by registering for the upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid course offered on Wednesday, May 29.

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course familiarizes people with the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, similar to what CPR and First Aid courses do for recognizing medical emergencies. Participants will learn a five-step action plan to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis. This course also identifies the importance of self-care and how to plan when we need self-care the most.

In just 12 years, Mental Health First Aid has become a full-blown movement in the United States — more than 2.5 million people are certified Mental Health First Aiders, and that number is growing every day.

This course will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Cocoa (3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL 32926) on May 29 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All participants will need to complete a 2-hour, self-paced online assignment prior to attending the course. On the day of, participants will attend a 5.5-hour, in-person instructor-led training. Registration starts at $65.

To learn more and register for the program, visit: https://loom.ly/qqhYSf4

If you have any questions, please call us at (321) 633-1702 or email Brevard@IFAS.UFL.edu

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at Brevard@IFAS.UFL.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.