Mental Health First Aid vs CPI Training

[krysta28]

Has anyone completed either of these programs?

I am looking at which training would be best for med/surg nurses who care for patients with mental health/detox problems until they are medically cleared to be transferred to a psych facility.

To me it seems as if MH 1st aid is more community based and verbal focused where CPI focuses on de-escalation and controlling situations..

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Honestly, I have never heard of a mental health first aid course...but yay, Google.

CPI is more crisis stabilization and internvetion, whereas this mental health first aid class appears to be more of an course in assessing for mental illness and where to send the patient. I'm not sure how in-depth the course goes or if it's eve geared towards medical professionals (i.e., is it the mental health version of Family & Community CPR as opposed to mental health BLS for Healthcare Providers).

Hopefully someone who is more familiar with this course can come in and provide their input.

[hpcat]

If you work inpatient in a state psychiatric hospital or short-term acute hospital unit or facility, you need CPI. Typically the hospital will give you the training in a class. I have worked for the state and short-term acute, you need CPI to protect yourself, your staff and your patients.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

If you work inpatient in a state psychiatric hospital or short-term acute hospital unit or facility, you need CPI. Typically the hospital will give you the training in a class. I have worked for the state and short-term acute, you need CPI to protect yourself, your staff and your patients.

Both the facilities I worked at in psych do not use CPI. I have been trained in CCM or Comprehensive Crisis Management. We are required to take a yearly class. My training is coming up soon.

[PG2018]

I've read only a little about mental health first aid and don't see how that's related to CPI. I don't find CPI to be practical. It seems more like one of those things an employer has you do for risk management.

With respect to the "physical" elements of CPI, if you don't do those types of things all the time you're not going to do it in a stress scenario.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Mental Health First Aid

mental health first aid is for members of the community, and for non mental health caregivers who may be dealing with emotionally challenged individuals.

CPI, and similar deescalation programs, are generally for the working mental health professional or support staff working with the mentally ill, although CPI does also offer training in other areas.

[EatYourVeggies]

I have CPI certification and I think it wouldn't be a bad idea for every nurse to take it because most people do not know what to do in that type of crisis situation and can get hurt : P It appears Mental Health First Aid is more general whereas CPI teaches one what to do in a specific crisis situation.