CODE OF VIRGINIA

COMMONWEALTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID PROGRAM (§ 37.2-312.2)

A. For the purposes of this section, “certified trainer” means a
person who has successfully completed a Mental Health First Aid instructor
training program offered by the national authorities of Mental Health First Aid
USA or the Commonwealth Mental Health First Aid Program and obtained a
certification as an instructor of Mental Health First Aid.

B. The Department shall establish and administer the Commonwealth Mental Health
First Aid Program (the Program) to provide training by certified trainers of
individuals residing or working in the Commonwealth on how to identify and
assist individuals who have or may be developing a mental health or substance
use disorder or who may be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse
crisis. Such program shall include training on:

   1.  Building mental health and substance abuse literacy designed to help the
   public identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness and
   substance abuse;

   2.  Assisting individuals who have or may be developing a mental health or
   substance use disorder or who may be experiencing a mental health or substance
   abuse crisis by (i) recognizing the symptoms of a mental health or substance
   use disorder; (ii) providing initial assistance to those experiencing a mental
   health crisis; (iii) guiding individuals requiring assistance, including
   individuals who may be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis,
   toward appropriate professional assistance; (iv) providing comfort to an
   individual experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis; (v) helping
   an individual with a mental health or substance use disorder avoid a mental
   health or substance abuse crisis that may lead to more costly interventions
   and treatments; and (vi) promoting healing, recovery, and good mental health.

C. The Department shall ensure that evaluative criteria are established to
measure the effectiveness of the Program, including fidelity of the Program and
training provided thereunder to the objectives set forth in subsection B.

D. Neither the Department nor any other agency of the Commonwealth shall incur
any liability by reason of (i) any action taken by an employer or other person
on the basis of information or materials provided through the Program or (ii)
any workplace violence that occurs, regardless of whether the workplace at which
an episode of workplace violence occurs had received information or materials
provided through the Program.

HISTORY: 2016, c. 407.