RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University continues to emphasize the critical importance of mental health. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, four in-person Mental Health First Aid training sessions were held under the leadership of two Associate Deans, Richard Reyes, EdD from the School of Arts and Sciences and Daria Waszak, DNP, RN, CNE, COHN-S, CEN from the School of Nursing. They successfully trained 45 Felician faculty and staff.

The in-service training continued to include occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). Dr. Reyes and Dr. Waszak held a Virtual Mental Health First Aid session for eight OTAs in August 2021, pictured above.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Dr. Waszak is a board-certified nurse educator, emergency nurse, and occupational health nurse who has over 24 years of clinical and administrative nursing experience. She stated, “This is such an important time to think about our mental health. None of us are immune to the mental effects of being in a pandemic. Many people are isolated and having trouble coping with losses. This could be the loss of a loved one, loss of health, or simply the loss of normalcy. The U.S. overdose ratesoared to a record-breaking high in 2020. Mental Health First Aiders are trained to identify when there may be a problem, so that help can be offered at an early point – before an illness worsens. Even just feeling comfortable saying something and showing that we care – can make all the difference to someone’s well-being.”

The goal of this important Felician program is to assist people in feeling more comfortable approaching and helping someone who is experiencing early or worsening signs of a mental health crisis. This course aims to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

MHFA is a formal, structured training program. All trainees who complete their 8-hours receive a certificate as a Mental Health First Aider. This certificate is valid for three years.

To learn more about MHFA training, please contact Dr. Daria Waszak at waszakd@felician.edu.