The positive effects of Mental Health First Aid are being felt across Chester County.

At a breakfast gathering sponsored by the Brandywine Health Foundation last week at the Brandywine Hospital, certified First Aiders shared how they have used their MHFA skills to assist others, learned about psychiatric hospitalization, and found out about local treatment and support for eating disorders.

Jayne Van Bramer, the Vice President of Brandywine Hospital Behavioral Health, provided a glimpse behind the closed doors of a psychiatric in-patient unit. She explained the intake process for someone being admitted, including medical assessment and evaluations, as well as treatment options and types of therapeutic interventions available.

The overview helped First Aiders in the audience understand the professional assistance given to individuals in a mental health crisis.

Also, Dr. Michael Pertschuk, the Medical Director of Brandywine Hospital’s Eating Disorders program, provided basic information about eating disorders and an overview of eating disorders services and programs at Brandywine Hospital.

First Aiders at the gathering volunteered to share stories of how they have applied their skills to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder. Mental Health First Aid, some noted, has given them the ability to recognize when another person is struggling, be it a family member, client, or a complete stranger they meet in the community. Important skills include listening to another person non-judgmentally and giving reassurance, rather than offering advice.

Mental Health First Aid, like the Heimlich maneuver and CPR, is designed for everyday citizens and teaches basic tools to help someone. With behavioral health conditions so common today, MHFA has become a movement nationwide, and almost 2,000 individuals have been certified in it in Chester County since the program launched here in July 2014.