MHFA Supporting Older Adults is an adaptation of the MHFA course that is intended to increase the capacity of older adults, families (informal caregivers), friends, staff in care settings and communities to promote mental health in older adults, prevent mental illness and suicide wherever possible in older adults and intervene early when problems first emerge.
The course content and resource materials are based on best available evidence and practice guidelines and were developed in consultation with Canadian experts in the field of geriatric psychiatry. The curriculum was developed for the Mental Health Commission of Canada at Trillium Health Partners, a healthcare organization which prioritizes older adults’ health and wellness.
The aims of this course are to teach members of the public how to:
- Recognize the symptoms of mental health problems or crises as they develop in seniors
- Provide the initial help to seniors
- Guide a senior and caregiver towards appropriate professional help
- Provide strategies and resources to support both seniors and their caregivers
Crisis first aid skills learned
- Substance overdose
- Suicidal behaviour
- Panic attack
- Acute stress reaction
- Psychotic episode
Course Sections
- Older Adults
- Mental Health First Aid Seniors
- Substance-related disorders for older adults
- Mood-related disorders for older adults
- Anxiety and trauma-related disorders for older adults
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Psychosis
