World Mental Health Day

In 2016, the Community Health Needs Assessment highlighted the necessity for increased awareness of mental illness across Northeast Florida. Since then, the Jacksonville Hospital Partnership (consisting of Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, St. Vincent’s HealthCare, and UF Health Jacksonville) committed to a three-year initiative that would address some of the issues surrounding mental health.

Awareness and response to mental illness often falls victim to lack of knowledge, stigma and fears of discrimination. For almost three years, the Jacksonville Hospital Partnership has been tackling these issues by hosting or providing free Mental Health First Aid courses. Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course that teaches non-clinical individuals how to identify and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Our goal is to train 10,000 citizens by the end of this year. We are close to our goal, but are still committed to sharing this training as a vital resource and tool in our quest to eliminate stigma and to underscore the fact that mental health goes hand-in-hand with physical health, which we all must be able to recognize and feel comfortable addressing.

Courses are offered on both weekdays and weekends across our five county area, ensuring Mental Health First Aid training is accessible to all. We encourage you to join the Jacksonville Hospital Partnership and the 6,000+ Northeast Florida residents who have already taken steps to help improve mental health.

Sign up for a free class today at https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org