Mental Health First Aid

Training Offers Hope and Support

Mental health conversations were virtually nonexistent for Generation X and Baby Boomers, but today, advocacy and awareness efforts have brought mental health into open dialogue. A key initiative in this shift is Mental Health First Aid Training, a program by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that prepares participants to assist those facing mental health or substance use challenges—similar to how traditional first aid addresses physical emergencies.

Maryann Fusco-Rollins, an assistant extension educator with UConn Extension in Tolland County, delivers this transformative training through UConn 4-H. Her work is supported by the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Strategic Vision Implementation grant and is deeply personal.

Growing up in the 1980s, Fusco-Rollins witnessed a family member’s struggles with mental health. “There wasn’t as much information available then, but I was already connecting people to help,” she recalls. This early experience ignited her passion for mental health advocacy. After serving in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, she worked at a crisis hotline and pursued professional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), equipping care teams with mindfulness tools. “It’s like putting your own oxygen mask on first,” she explains.

Fusco-Rollins now teaches Mental Health First Aid to help others recognize challenges and take action.

Training includes listening non-judgmentally, connecting people to resources, and preparing through pre-work and follow-up materials.

The program equips participants with practical skills to support individuals in crisis or non-crisis situations.

“This training is for everyone—whether you have experience or not,” Fusco-Rollins explains. “Like traditional first aid, it doesn’t teach you to diagnose or treat conditions. Instead, it empowers you to act as a bridge, offering crucial assistance during a mental health crisis or emerging concern.” Participants also learn self-care routines to manage stress and promote long-term wellness.

In today’s world—shaped by the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and constant information overload—prioritizing mental health is vital. Just as seatbelts and healthy eating support physical well-being, mental wellness practices are essential for overall health.

“The course trains people to help others in a supportive, non-judgmental way,” says Fusco-Rollins. “By the end, participants feel confident they can help someone in a concerning situation or crisis. They know how to access additional resources, and they leave with a sense of hope. We are not struggling alone—there are people who can help, recovery is possible, and there is hope.”