Once again, the CPNP Foundation sponsored Mental Health First Aid at the CPNP Annual Meeting. This national, accredited, 8-hour program teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Certified instructors and CPNP members, Jerry McKee, PharmD, MS, BCPP and Azita Alipour, PharmD, BCPP, BCGP taught the course over two days before CPNP 2019 with 42 students and 16 non-students in attendance. Participants learned about and practiced crisis and non-crisis first aid for traumatic events, acute psychosis, withdrawal, and overdose. Following the event, participants received a certificate of completion from Mental Health First Aid USA acknowledging certification which is valid for 3 years. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) also provided 8 hours of continuing education credit for pharmacist participants.
Mental Health First Aid is gaining in popularity and reputation. Walgreens recently announced that it will partner with the American Pharmacists Association and the National Council for Behavioral Health to create an online version of the Mental Health First Aid program for their employees. Leaders believe this program will help Walgreens pharmacists and other employees help customers and coworkers in crisis.
The Foundation is thrilled to support and subsidize this life-saving important program through an offering at the CPNP Annual Meetings.