MHFA3 - Road to Recovery: Addressing Substance Use and Suicide with Storytelling in MHFA

Sunday, April 30, 2023

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Location: 502 A, Level 2, LACC

None of the planners/faculty, unless otherwise noted, for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Relias, LLC and National Council for Mental Wellbeing guarantee this educational conference is free from bias.

Moderator - MHFA Summit(s)

Michele M. Pilon, BA (she/her/hers)

National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid, Life Coach, Wellness Consultant, and Speaker
Washington Wellness with Michele
Covington, Washington

Slides

Presenter - MHFA Summit(s)

T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS

Mental Health Trainer, Author, and Speaker
Mental Health Empowerment Agency
Odenton, Maryland

Slides
Steve Miller, Certified Teen, Youth and Adult MHFA

Project Director
Mid-America PTTC
Springfield, Missouri

Three presenters with lived experience will share how difficult it can be for others to understand the severity of early onset mental health and substance use disorders and how they can complicate or lead to other challenges or crisis, including suicide. Instructors will receive guidance on how to safely use storytelling to enhance their MHFA trainings. MHFA Trainers and trusted adults will be reminded that recovery is possible and there is a unique opportunity for people with lived experience as an MHFA Trainer.

Learning Objectives:

Demonstrate how elevating the story of recovery can reduce stigma, build community and help save lives from suicide, overdose or other crises situations.
Discuss how being a MHFA Instructor plays a positive role in one’s recovery.
Adopt a new lens to view delivery of MHFA for the person with lived experience.
Assess when and how to disclose appropriate during facilitation.