BURCHAM: Mental Health First Aid increasing awareness

Nearly one in five adults live with a mental illness. Many of those who struggle with a mental health challenge do not seek help for a variety of reasons. I have been trained since 2021 to be a facilitator for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which is a training for participants to learn how to help someone experiencing mental health difficulties.

It teaches a five-step process that includes communications skills and offering resources to encourage help-seeking. Multiple research studies have demonstrated that MHFA is effective in improving knowledge, confidence, and skills to help someone in distress, including suicidal thoughts. More information on the program can be found on their website at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Illinois Extension has been working to help those who live and work in rural areas recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance abuse. Since 2022, Family Life Educators, Youth Educators and Health Disparities Specialists have taught: 33 MHFA classes (15 adult classes, 17 youth classes, and 1 youth class in Spanish), with 327 participants (177 adult participants, 144 youth participants, and 6 Spanish speaking youth participants). 

You can read about the effectiveness of the Mental Health First Aid training in this publication:    Iwinski SJ, Cuthbertson CA, Burcham CA, Belzer KL, Rudolphi JM. Evaluating Mental Health First Aid for Illinois Agricultural Communities. Health Promotion Practice. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/15248399241259687  

According to the research, participants increased their knowledge, confidence, and skills in various mental health topics including:  

• early indicators of mental health challenges,  
• the ability to have supportive conversations, and  
• how to provide resources to others.  

Illinois Extension staff work in collaboration with Extension Specialists Courtney Cuthbertson and Josie Rudolphi. 

Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension

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Cheri Burcham is responsible for family life programming in the counties of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby and other parts of east central Illinois as needed. Cheri’s emphasis is on healthy lifestyles throughout the life span which include family relationships, communication, caregiving, stress management and human development including early childhood and healthy aging. Her passion is to help people to be their best selves and to promote a healthier, independent older population.

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