Your staff will have the knowledge and skills to support someone struggling with their mental health or in a crisis that occurs in an outdoor setting
Knowledge
Skills
Increased confidence in staff ability and likelihood to help an individual in distress. Increased comfort in their ability to identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with mental illness and Improved mental wellness for themselves.
Intervention
Staff will be able to spot the signs of a range of mental illnesses and support the person to get the help they need, using a clear and defined step by step process.
What Is Outdoor
Mental Health First Aid?
Prepare for unexpected mental health challenges with this hands-on introduction to mental health crisis management. Sample elements of mental health first aid include:
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Recognize the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems.
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Use a step-by-step action plan to help an individual in crisis.
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Apply knowledge of nature-informed interventions to provide psychological first aid.
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Create self-care strategies to help remain calm in crisis situations.
Who Will Benefit?
This is designed for organizations that take people into the outdoors on short trips, work at nature camps, facilitate outdoor activities or lead wilderness experiences with a group of people of all ages. No prior knowledge of mental health treatment is necessary.
How Do We Teach It?
Participants will alternate between lecture and outdoor field experiences. The course format involves practical scenarios, case studies, and skill practice. The course can be adapted to an online format if needed.
Sample Curriculum
Part I:
Why Mental Health First Aid
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What is Mental Health First Aid
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Prevalent Mental Health Problems
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Warning Signs
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Grief & loss
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Others
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Part II:
First aid for mental health crisis from a nature informed lens
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Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
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Suicidal thoughts
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Self-harm
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Panic Attacks
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Trauma
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Aggression & Conflict
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Bereavement
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Attention Deficit
Part III:
Intervention Practical
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Mental Health First Aid Action Plan
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Presentation of cases and small group discussion
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Intense scenario work
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Nature informed interventions
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Connecting with resources & additional support
Outdoor Mental Health
First Aid Instructors
All CNIT instructors are
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Board-certified mental health clinicians
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Certified Nature Informed Therapists
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Experts with hands-on field experience
Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan
Ph.D., LCPC, ACS
Matthew Lowe
LCPC, MTS
Zoe Jack
LCSW-C
Tim Ayd
LGPC
Gina Strauss
LCPC
Why CNIT?
Board-Certified Clinicians
Excellent Track Record
Eco-therapy Experts
Evidence-based Treatment
Extensive Training Background
Customized Solutions
Some of Our Clients
Outdoor Organizations
Recovery Centers
Camps and Retreat Centers
Training Facilities
Out training Mental Health First Aid In the Great Outdoors course facilities are located in Towson, Monkton, or Owings Mills. Or, our instructors can come to your facility.
After the training, your staff will have the knowledge and skills to support someone struggling with their mental health or in a crisis that occurs in an outdoor setting.
Testimony
"The workshops have proven immensely beneficial to everyone leading up to our excursion, no matter their outdoor experience level. I would recommend this organization and the services they offer to everyone! If you have an outdoor organization, include a workshop from CNIT into your program. Your participants and guides will gain skills to approach mental health challenges in backcountry settings as well as a dialogue to build a foundation of open and productive communication surrounding self care and supporting others. Such incredible and important work! Thank you Heidi and team!"
-Cassidy Cichowicz
Program Coordinator, Wild Gifts