2024 CFAAC Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 38
ROOTED IN CARE
Mental Health First Aid in Anne Arundel County
For the past four years, in response to a growing
nationwide mental health crisis, CFAAC has offered
Mental Health First Aid courses. CFAAC’s 2022
Community Needs Assessment Report underlined
the need for these programs, especially the increased
demand for children's mental health services and the
shortage of providers. This intensive, curriculumdriven course, which equips adults with the essential
skills to recognize signs of mental health challenges
and support those in crisis, is led by expert instructors
who specialize in adult and youth mental health.
Naeemah Staggs, MHS, an Adult Mental Health First
Aid course instructor and a Senior Training Specialist
at the University of Maryland, said that while we’ve
made great strides in expanding access, the gaps
persist. “Mental Health First Aid helps bridge these
gaps by equipping participants with the skills to
support others, often before a crisis occurs,” she said.
The course follows an evidence-based curriculum
and while not a support group, it provides resources
for participants, said Marcie Gibbons, a Youth Mental
Health First Aid instructor, HUB Coordinator for
Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, and a
Clinical Social Worker.
Naeemah and Marcie, both CFAAC Board
members, said the course clears up some common
misconceptions: mental health challenges aren’t
rare, they are common. There’s not just one way to
treat mental health concerns; there’s a wide range of
treatment and support. And the courses aren’t just for
professionals—they are for everyone.
“People can use the training at work, home, and
in their faith communities. It translates into every
corner of their lives,” said Marcie. “Everyone needs
to know the initial signs of a mental
health concern to discover a pattern.
If someone can spot early signs and
symptoms and get individuals help on
the earlier side, it can avoid a crisis.
Getting them help earlier can
change lives.”
Anne Hamel and Naeemah Staggs at the
National Mental Health First Aid Summit.
38 | 2024 Annual Report
Naeemah agreed and added that participants not only
gain skill sets to help others but also deepen their own
mental health awareness. “They're walking away with
skills and knowledge that have broad applicability
throughout their life,” she said.
Marcie Gibbons presents an Adult Mental Health First Aid course
through CFAAC.
One participant who garnered new skills was
Kimberly Weiner, Chief Impact Officer at the
Ulman Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to
create a community of support for young adults and
their families affected by cancer. “The training has
helped me feel more prepared to create a supportive
environment for young adults facing cancer, ensuring
they have not only medical resources but also
emotional and mental health support when they need
it most,” she said. “It reinforced the importance of
active listening, reducing stigma, and offering support
without judgment. The training also provided practical
strategies to recognize signs of distress and connect
young patients with mental health resources, ensuring
they feel heard, supported, and empowered during a
difficult time. Learning the Action Plan (ALGEE) was a
gamechanger not only in how I approach situations at
work but also in my personal life.
“I learned how to assess and approach clients or
colleagues experiencing a mental health challenge with
confidence and know I am in a better position to support
someone in need or facing a crisis,” Kimberly added.
This newfound confidence and optimism it brings
to participants is why Marcie continues to teach. “I
think participants leave with hope for recovery,” said
Marcie. “That's why I've been doing it for so long—
because of the hope it brings.”
