By Truett Jackson
Staff Reporter
Charnia Parrish and Nikki Purkeypile are advisement staff and part-time instructors at CNM who are very keen on mental health first-aid and are working to share these techniques with other faculty, staff, and administrators.
Purkeypile, who was first trained in this area eleven years ago, said that last year Wellness CNM committed itself to having in-house, permanent trainers in mental health first-aid.
“I think that Charnia and I are both people who are very passionate about this, and so people kind of found us somehow … people identified that we were passionate about this and asked us if we wanted to become certified trainers.”, said Purkeypile.
Parrish, who co-heads the program, said that this is an area that fit her expertise. “I have a background working in psych, so that coupled with my major, this was the logical thing to do, and I was happy to do so. I completed the training, like Nikki did, about a year ago. I think of this as an expansion of Wellness CNM’s services; in addition to the other wraparound services that they’re re-introducing, having mental health first-aid for staff and faculty was a logical extension of that, as not only a way to help students, but also ourselves and each other.”
The training itself involves a whole day, in-person training with the instructors, as well as pre-work that the teacher-students study beforehand. A specific technique used is referred to with the acronym ALGEE.
This technique is where staff and faculty are trained to first approach and assess. They determine whether there is a risk of suicide or harm, and assist. They then listen, non-judgmentally, to the student, and give reassurance and information. The next step is to encourage them to seek the appropriate professional help, and further encourage them in ways such as self-help and other support strategies.
“Following that format, whatever steps are appropriate at that time, allows us to possibly extend help to someone; letting them know that there is hope for recovery.”, explained Parrish.
Purkeypile agreed that the ALGEE technique has been shown to produce positive outcomes. “ALGEE first-aid is also important for early intervention before something is a crisis, so it starts from the regular concern side of the spectrum, to more concerned, to crisis. So, intervening early leads to better outcomes and more hope of recovery. Just like a physical injury … many of us have needed first aid in our lives. So, it’s a similar premise: what can we do immediately, to help someone right now? And so that can prevent worse outcomes, but on the other end, it can create better outcomes. Get people support early.”
The pair noted that they believe in providing additional supports wherever possible for those in need, identifying and recognizing when someone is in crisis, and granting grace wherever possible. They also see a successful future for the course and its outcomes.
“I would like to see more staff and faculty get trained. I think we’ve had more of the administrative side trained than faculty, and I see that interest is expressed. In my ideal world, if we are teaching three to four classes a year, I would like after four years for us to have trained most of the people here. That’s what I’d love to see.”, said Parrish.
“Four years?”, commented Purkeypile, “I love that.”
CNM’s Mental health first-aid course is open to faculty, staff, and administrators. Part-time faculty is encouraged to reach out to their associate dean for eligibility info. All information regarding future courses and enrollment can be found by contacting Wellness CNM at 505-224-3000.