FWISD Bus Drivers Train in ‘Mental Health First Aid'

When you think of first aid, you probably picture CPR for someone choking or having a heart attack. Maybe you even know how to do it.

But would you know what to do for someone having a mental health crisis? Advocates are now pushing to train a million people nationwide in "mental health first aid."

Locally, MHMR of Tarrant County – the mental health, addiction and developmental disabilities service group – has already trained hundreds of police, firefighters and private company employees in how to help a person in mental health crisis.

Now, before the school year starts, they're focused on educators and for the first time this year, they're going far beyond teachers and counselors.

Before the bell rings for a new school year, before new teachers and friends, there's one face students will see first.

"We're the first ones to see them in the morning and the last to see them in the afternoon," said Fort Worth ISD school bus driver Joan Shackelford.

She and her fellow bus drivers work every day to get kids to school safely.

"Sit down, do not sit with your head up against the window," recited FWISD bus driver Regina Syas.

Now, in the Fort Worth ISD, they'll be watching for something more.

"These are our warning signs of a youth who may be impacted by mental illness," James Turnage told a classroom full of FWISD school bus drivers.

Turnage is director of supports with disability services for MHMR of Tarrant County. Before the start of the school year, he led an eight-hour training in "mental health first aid," like CPR for the mind.

"You're more likely to encounter someone experiencing emotional or mental health crisis than you are someone experiencing a heart attack," said Turnage.

Many of the drivers in the class had already seen students in crisis.

"One of the parents had been gravely ill with cancer and had to be away from home a lot for treatments so this child did not want to go to school because of that," said Shackelford, recalling one recent student.

Now when they see signs of anxiety, trauma or depression, they'll know how to respond.

"Listen non-judgmentally, provide support and reassurance, to know what professional helps are out there, to know the resources that are out there in your area," said Turnage.

For Regina Syas, it hits close to home. Her son tried to commit suicide while serving overseas in the Army.

"He was diagnosed with PTSD, bipolar and something else they diagnosed him with," said Syas. "Had I caught any of that when he was a child, had I noticed it, maybe I could have gotten him help."

It's a deep reminder of how common mental illness is and motivation for the next wave of kids who might need someone to turn to.

"We care about them too," said Shackelford. "We want them to feel like we're a resource just like their teachers are, or just like their counselors are."

MHMR stresses this is not about teaching people to diagnose or treat mental illness. It's learning to recognize the signs then refer to professional help, and before approaching someone asses if they seem likely to hurt themselves or anyone else.

MHMR hopes to train 600 people working in area schools this year and next.

For more information visit the MHMR of Tarrant County website.