MHFA16 - The Impact of Mental Health First Aid on Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Sunday, May 4, 2025

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM ET

Location: 103B

Philadelphia, known as the City of Neighborhoods, is notorious for its passionate communities – each having their own distinct characteristics, pride, and, of course, their own needs! Philadelphia, the first metropolitan area to implement a citywide Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) initiative, has empowered its different communities to address behavioral healt challenges, promote fair access to resources, and build mental health literacy to strengthen our community resilience, all at no cost to our residents. Session attendees will explore how individuals from justice system officials to neighborhood block captains are equipped with tools to recognize, understand and appropriately respond to community behavioral health needs.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss the importance of community volunteer Instructors on the impact of a citywide initiative for Mental Health First Aid
Identify two strategies to gain visibility and increase awareness in your community
Discuss the importance of taking a person-, family- and community-centered approach to educating communities about mental wellness.

Presenter - MHFA Summit(s)

Shemiah S. Cooper, MS

Director of Education & Training
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Malik Gray

Moderator - MHFA Summit(s)

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Liz Reardon, MPH

National Trainer
Mental Health First Aid Mental Health First Aid Mental Health FDirst Aid
Saint Albans Bay, Vermont