Idaho State University and Mental Health First Aid: Crucial Training for Our Communities

Teachers, administrators, and communities in Idaho are taking active steps to make a difference in the lives of young people through mental health trainings. By increasing the number of individuals who can provide support, we can change the trajectory of mental health outcomes.

Located near Soda Springs in a rural area, Grace Jr Sr High School is home to approximately 225 students across two schools, including the elementary school. As a 1A high school, Grace Jr Sr High recently took a significant step forward in addressing student mental health by participating in a program facilitated by Idaho State University (ISU).

Holly Kartchner, Director of Outreach and Retention for the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) at ISU, has been facilitating mental health trainings for administrators, counselors, teachers, and parents in the schools where the INCLUDE Program has already been established. 

The INCLUDE Project increases opportunities and positive outcomes for rural Idaho high school students, both through higher education and through telehealth and mental telehealth services. The INCLUDE Program is currently operational in 28 rural Idaho high schools and has recently rolled into phase two, which involves providing telehealth services to the INCLUDE schools using the distance learning technology provided through the program. 

Knowing that the physical and mental health of students makes a significant impact on their success, INCLUDE faculty and staff hope to fill a need by providing training and services that will help communities in this area.

The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing teaches trainees how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. The training provides an action plan for those working with children and adolescents. 

“Our goal is to offer it at least to all the INCLUDE schools,” Ms. Kartchner says, “this is something every school would benefit from.”

“They need this more than ever,” CAL Dean Kandi Turley Ames says. “This is a collaboration that’s helping the community with the mental health crisis. We are collecting data that shows how students’ participation is increasing their chances of graduating from high school and going to college. Something about ISU that is so unique is our mission to serve Southeast Idaho,” Turley Ames says. “We understand our rural areas and we are the only ones positioned to be able to provide access and education to rural areas.”

In March, 34 participants from Grace School District were YMHFA certified. From that training other rural schools got on board with scheduling and hosting their own trainings. 

Sheila Murdock, a registered nurse, and experienced YMHFA instructor, and Paula Phelps led the training. Phelps, a professor at ISU in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, and a practicing physician assistant, participated via distance learning technology provided through the INCLUDE project.

Leading the charge to get his teachers and staff training was Brandon Jackson, the school's principal, who joined Grace Jr Sr High School in August 2022. Having graduated from ISU, as did his wife, the university has played a significant role in their lives.

Recognizing the value of ISU's partnership with communities, Jackson and his colleagues connected with Kartchner, who was searching for a willing initial group to collaborate with.

TJ Knutson, a high school counselor for Grace junior high and high school students, joined Jackson and Kartchner in organizing the training. With the increasing prevalence of challenging circumstances such as natural disasters, diseases, and other hardships, the trio felt the urgency to equip students and faculty with resources to overcome these obstacles.

The community of Grace faced its share of tragedy during this time, however, thanks to the training received through the program, the teachers at Grace were able to put their knowledge into action. 

When a man was caught in a barn explosion and another tragedy struck the elementary school, the training enabled the faculty to implement necessary procedures swiftly. The school sought support from neighboring districts, such as Soda Springs and North Gem, calling upon their counselors to provide much-needed assistance during these challenging times.

Jackson considers himself fortunate to be part of such a close-knit community, emphasizing that Grace is a remarkable place to live and work. 

“The training has had a profound impact, not only on the teachers but also on the students,” Jackson says. “It has relieved the pressure on teachers to be everything to their students, enabling students to feel a sense of care and support. When dealing with mental health issues or tragedies, students often feel alone, but the program at Grace has opened doors and raised awareness that there are people willing to help them find alternative solutions, preventing potential tragedies.”

Jackson recognizes that while it is the initial splash into the water, its ripples will be felt for generations. “The goal is to be part of the movement to end the stigma surrounding mental health,” he says, “spreading the message that seeking treatment and finding solutions are not only acceptable but crucial steps toward healing and hope.”

Overwhelmingly, Kartchner and the other organizers heard from participants about how desperately they need this training. 

Bill Van Dyke, a technology teacher who teaches grades 7 and 9-12 was one of the attendees. Van Dyke says that he’s noticed as a teacher how much his students are struggling.

“Teenagers are trying to find their identity and how to fit in and trying to develop,” he says. “Because of those things, I’ve had opportunities where kids have confided in me personal struggles and I’ve had the opportunity to listen to and support kids who are struggling.”

Van Dyke says that the training gave him a level of confidence in knowing that he has been on the right track with how he’s handled situations in the past. 

“I’ve never been trained,” he says. “It was really helpful to have validation that it’s okay for the teacher to do something about it and that the responses and reactions I’ve had for the most part have been good. It also gave me insights into strategies and abilities to how to handle situations even better.”

Van Dyke says that he understands how fellow teachers may not think they have time to complete the training. “But if you’re a teacher who interacts with and wants to have an impact on students, I think it’s worth it because you’ll gain insights and confidence. It’s definitely needed.”

As part of the training, participants are asked to preview material ahead of time. Teacher Shelli Welch had to use the pre-prep training the very next day with a student in crisis. 

Welch, a dedicated first-year teacher in the Grace school district teaches health to 7th through 10th grade students in the mornings, and kindergarten in the afternoons. Welch has discovered the immense value of mental health education and its impact on her students' well-being.

Reflecting on her initial experiences as a teacher, Welch acknowledges that mental health was an area often overlooked in traditional educational settings. However, the Mental Health First Aid training program changed her perspective entirely. 

"As a teacher, you love the kids, but we didn't really talk about mental health," Welch explains. "Many of us feel intimidated because we feel like we have to fix the problems. Our natural instinct is to shy away.”

Welch shares how the training helped her deal with a student in crisis.

 “As I was doing the pre-training online, I learned about the importance of listening and empathy. During this time a student approached me and said she had been having a hard time at home. Prior to that, I wouldn't have known what specific things to say. But with the training, I was able to ask the right questions to let her know I was there for her and to validate her feelings. It changed my outlook on how to talk to her."

Mental health trainers get involved in different ways. Phelps has 28 years of experience at ISU and an accomplished career as a practicing physician assistant. Phelps's journey into mental health training began eight years ago when a faculty member at ISU introduced the concept to her. Recognizing its potential, Phelps embarked on a personal mental health training course during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2021. The experience proved transformative, as she found herself connecting with patients in her practice on a deeper level.

Inspired by her own experience, Phelps became a certified instructor and began teaching mental health first aid courses. She firmly believes in the importance of cultivating an army of trained mental health advocates to serve Idaho, particularly its rural areas. To further this mission, Phelps and ISU have collaborated with Optum Training, a leading provider of mental health resources, to expand the reach of mental health first aid training.

In a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of mental health, Optum has been at the forefront of a statewide initiative since 2018. Optum, a leading healthcare company, is currently offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses for both youth and adults. To ensure the success of this initiative, Spark, a prominent organization, has been instrumental in coordinating the program and securing qualified instructors.

Through Optum's partnership, individuals across the state have access to comprehensive mental health support. To become a part of this vital movement, community members are encouraged to visit Optum's website and register for a class. Furthermore, a crisis hotline number is provided for immediate assistance. By participating in the MHFA training, individuals can choose to either host or attend a session, actively contributing to the promotion of mental health awareness and support.

Participants learn about various topics, including substance abuse and mental health conditions. They are taught to assess individuals, actively listen, provide reassurance and information, and appropriately hand them over to the care they need. By familiarizing community members with de-escalation techniques, the program empowers them to create a supportive environment and refer individuals to suitable care with confidence.

Phelps's passion for the cause is evident as she highlights the urgency of the situation. Recent teen suicides in Pocatello, where five tragic deaths occurred within three months, further emphasize the need for mental health support in the region. Phelps expresses her gratitude for the incoming assistance, stressing that it cannot come soon enough.

Phelps hopes that more people in the university will recognize the opportunity to foster a broader movement by encouraging more faculty and staff to become mental health instructors. She understands the demand for additional trainees and envisions a future where anyone at ISU can contribute to this crucial effort.

“In Spring of 2022 I taught this course to 1st year PA students,” Phelps says. “One had been a professional basketball player. She talked about how important it is to get this information to NCCAA coaches. Two ISU Professors of Athletic Training have been certified  through the HRSA grant and they’ve helped to train coaches and athletic trainers at ISU. The College of Technology received a different grant and they have a number of instructors able to go out to the community.”

Phelps stresses the importance of early intervention and prevention, as identifying warning signs and taking action promptly can significantly improve the chances of successful recovery. The training is available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities.

Murdock, a devoted nurse and resident of Shelley, has emerged as a tireless advocate for mental health education. Murdock's journey began over two decades ago when she tragically lost her 17-year-old son to suicide. 

At that time, she had just begun working at the Behavioral Health Center, which provided her with an opportunity to learn more about mental health and suicide prevention. After a couple of years, her boss approached about co-facilitating a support group for survivors of suicide loss. This marked the beginning of Murdock's involvement with suicide prevention efforts in Eastern Idaho.

As part of her commitment to making a lasting impact, Murdock played a crucial role in establishing the Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) in Eastern Idaho. When SPAN dissolved nationwide, Murdock and her group recognized the importance of continuing their vital work and founded their own 501C3 organization, aptly named Suicide Prevention. It was through SPAN that Murdock became aware of the Mental Health First Aid training program and became a trainer herself.

Murdock's collaboration with ISU began as they worked together with District 6, forging connections with the health department to bring mental health education to the community. ISU's support and sponsorship have been instrumental in facilitating the training programs, and Murdock's role has expanded to an Assist Trainer 2 position. ISU's involvement is further bolstered by an AmeriCorps grant dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of mental health education initiatives.

Through these partnerships, ISU is able to bring grant funding and technical equipment to smaller rural communities, allowing them to access the valuable training programs. 

Murdock highlights the enthusiastic response from communities such as Soda Springs and Grace, where teachers and administrators have eagerly embraced the training. The positive feedback and gratitude from participants have been overwhelming, with educators already applying their newfound knowledge to support students in need. 

Murdock emphasizes that community involvement is crucial in driving the expansion of mental health training programs. The ripple effect of community engagement in mental health education is immeasurable, as more individuals become equipped to recognize the signs, offer support, and ultimately save lives.

Idaho stays in the top 10 for suicide in the nation. Lack of providers exacerbates the mental health challenges rural communities face. Tele-mental health is helpful in rural areas. 

“The more we can do things to save people and help people be stronger, healthier, happier, then they’ll turn around and help someone else,” Murdock says. “You can use it to help yourself, your family, your friends.”

"Mental health illness is akin to any other disease," asserts Phelps. "By increasing the number of individuals who can provide support, we can change the trajectory of mental health outcomes. Just as we teach CPR, this is CPR for mental health."

For more information or to get involved please visit:

• Optum: https://www.optumidaho.com/
• Optum Community Partners: https://www.optumidaho.com/content/ops-optidaho/idaho/en/community-partners.html
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Idaho: https://namiidaho.org/