A.I.D. Training
Our A.I.D. training was developed by the Center for Public Policy and Health in 2019 as part of the More Aware Initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A.I.D. is a 60 to 90 minute mental health awareness training, delivered in-person or virtually, that teaches individuals how to interact effectively with someone experiencing mental distress using three steps:
- Awareness: Recognizing signs and symptoms of distress
- Interaction: Effectively interacting with someone in distress
- Direction: Locating and providing resources to individuals in distress
Other key components of this training include:
- Educating trainees on local and national mental health resources
- Practicing the A.I.D. action plan using relevant scenarios
- Reducing stigma about mental illness and substance use
- Promoting self-care
If you are a KSU student, faculty, or staff member and are interested in taking or hosting an A.I.D. training with your department or organization, please contact Kayla Marker, kmarker@kent.edu.
In December 2023, the approved A.I.D. for Coaches as a mental health training under the
Click Here for A.I.D. for Coaches
A.I.D. Train the Trainer
Are you interested in becoming an A.I.D. instructor? Our Train the Trainer program is free, and allows organizations to utilize A.I.D. within your own training groups.
As a mental health awareness training, A.I.D.:
Is effective in increasing knowledge about mental health, increasing confidence in interacting with someone experiencing mental distress, and decreasing stigma
Can be delivered in virtual or in-person settings to diverse training audiences
Is modifiable to your training population, including scenarios to practice the A.I.D. action plan
Has been approved for use in 5 SAMHSA funded grants (two MHAT, two Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants, and a More Aware Project)
Can be implemented at little to no cost
Brings the opportunity to train gatekeepers in settings that may not be reached through other mental health trainings due to time and resource constraints
Background information and research to support its effectiveness can be found here:
To date, we have held A.I.D. Train the Trainer sessions in 5 states!
If you are interested in becoming certified an A.I.D. instructor, or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Diana Patel (dkingsb2@kent.edu).
This website was developed in part under a grant number H79SM084125 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.
