How to Help: ALGEE

“How to Help: ALGEE” Service Learning Lesson © 2020 Youth Volunteer Corps

How to Help: ALGEE

Brief Overview:

You will learn the Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) Action Plan steps and practice actions using

role play.

Issue Area:

Mental Health

YVC Strategic Focus Areas:

Healthy Lifestyles

Compassionate Communities

Learning Objectives:

During the lesson, youth will discuss the 5 steps in the MHFA® action plan as outlined in the

mnemonic (memory device): ALGEE

Using role play, youth will demonstrate understanding of the action plan steps by acting out

each step for the group.

Skill Development Potential:

Self-confidence

Self-awareness

Empathy

National Education Standards (i.e. Common Core)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.2

Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually,

quantitatively, and orally.

Materials

A copy of make-your-own ALGEE instructions and template for each youth (optional)

Facilitator Instructions:

It is important to note this is an introduction to the concepts covered in depth during a full

Mental Health First Aid® training session. This lesson should not be presented as MHFA®

certification or as a substitute for certification. If youth are interested in becoming certified,

direct them to: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

If one is not already in place, establish a group agreement to guide behavior and actions of

participants in the group. Mental health, and suicide specifically, is a potentially triggering topic

and should be approached with intentionality and sensitivity. Remember, as a program leader, it

is your job to facilitate, create a climate of emotional safety, and redirect – not control the

content.

http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/


This lesson is best after the “What is Mental Health” lesson. Previous learning around mental

health issues will support engagement.

Instructions/Content:

Introduce Mental Health First Aid® to youth volunteers. Share that it is a training and research

program founded in Australia that has expanded to reach more than 2 million people in the US.

It is a training that equips people with the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and

support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or

experiencing a crisis.

o The intention of MHFA® is that knowing how to respond to mental health issues would

be as common as knowing to start CPR or call 9-1-1 in response to a heart attack.

The role of a person trained in MHFA® is to provide social support, helping a person in crisis feel

less distressed and seek further assistance. Equipped with an accurate view of mental health

issues and a strength-based perspective, a response rooted in MHFA® can help enhance self-

esteem and cultivate wellness, self-care, and coping skills.

The MHFA® action plan is remembered using the memory device: A-L-G-E-E. Introduce and

explain each step to youth volunteers.

o Action A: Assess for risk of suicide or harm. When helping a person going through a

mental health crisis, it is important to look for signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors,

non-suicidal self-injury, or other harm. Crises may include attempting suicide or self-

harm, abusing drugs or alcohol, attempting to achieve extreme weight loss. Warning

signs of suicide include:

Threatening to hurt or kill oneself

Seeking access to means to hurt or kill oneself

Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

Feeling hopeless

Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Withdrawing from family, friends, or society

Appearing agitated or angry

Having a dramatic change in mood

o Action L: Listen nonjudgmentally. It may seem simple, but the ability to listen and have

a meaningful conversation requires skill and patience. Listening is critical in helping an

individual feel respected, accepted, and understood. Most people experiencing

distressing emotions and thoughts want an empathic listener first before being offered

helpful options and resources.

o Action G: Give reassurance and information. It is important to recognize that mental

illnesses and addictions are real, treatable illnesses from which people can and do

recover. When talking to someone you believe may be experiencing symptoms of a

mental illness, approach the conversation with respect and dignity and don’t blame the

individual. Reassurance includes emotional support, such as empathizing and offering

hope, and offering practical help with tasks that seem overwhelming.

o Action E: Encourage appropriate professional help. People with mental health

problems generally have a better recovery when they get professional help and there


are many options available when someone is in crisis or may be experiencing the signs

and symptoms of a mental illness or addiction. This includes medication,

counseling/therapy, peer support, support for family, support for career/education, and

assistance with income and accommodation.

o Action E: Encourage self-help and other support strategies. Individuals with mental

illness can contribute to their own recovery and wellness through: Exercise; Relaxation

and meditation; Participating in peer support groups; Self-help books based on cognitive

behavioral therapy; Engaging with family, friends, faith, and other social networks

Split youth into 5 groups. After reviewing, or following the explanation of each step, assign each

group a letter (A, L, G, E, or E). Youth will then role play the action associated with that letter. As

the project leader, you will play the role of a person experiencing depression and youth will play

the role of responders.

o Note: If volunteers have a deeper understanding of mental health issues, a youth in

each group can play the role of a person in crisis. However, it is important that youth do

not further stereotypes or use harmful language during role play. Discourage use of

words like “crazy,” or “psycho” or actions that portray those suffering from mental

illness in a negative light.

Reflection Activities:

Ask youth to discuss how comfortable they felt performing each action step. Are they more

confident in one area? Did they feel equipped to share resources and strategies? Why or why

not?

Connection to Local Community:

Ask a representative from a local mental health organization to speak to youth about the

preventative programs they offer and other services available to the community. Knowing what

local resources are available is especially helpful as youth role play “encouraging appropriate

professional help.”

Career Connections:

Therapist

Social worker

Psychologist

School counselor

Take It Home Challenge:

Provide the ALGEE Koala origami template and instructions so youth can create a visual

reminder of the ALGEE steps for themselves. You can also do this as a group as the project

concludes.

Sources:

National Council for Behavioral Health. (2015). Mental health first aid USA. Washington DC

What You Learn. (2013, October 18). Retrieved from

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/what-you-learn/

ALGEE is a mnemonic device for Mental Health First Aid’s 5-step Action Plan – and the name of the program’s koala mascot.

What is ALGEE?

A ssess for risk of suicide or harm

L isten nonjudgmentally

G ive reassurance and information

E ncourage appropriate professional help

E ncourage self-help and other support strategies

Can You Help Expand Mental Health First Aid?

Scan the QR code or go to

http://bit.ly/ZjgNL1

Yes!• Find out how to get certified in Mental Health First Aid at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org • Write your legislator asking him or her to support the Mental Health First Aid Higher Education Act

G32937_InsertOrigamiFinal.indd 1 3/19/13 1:45 PM

Make-Your-Own-ALGEE A lesson in origami and mental health literacy

The Mental Health First Aid Act makes MHFA accessible in communities across the country in order to better prepare communities to respond to individuals in distress and potentially developing mental health concerns.

FOLLOw thE 10 stEps below to make your own origami ALGEE and to learn about how you can support the Act.

Use scissors to cut out the paper:

Fold in half:

Fold to meet the center line:

Fold on the dotted lines:

Fold on the dotted line:

Flip paperover:

Fold on the dotted line to create space for the nose:

Fold backward on the dotted line:

Attach shirt through tab and meet ALGEE!

1 2

35

6

7

Fold on the dotted line to make ears:

8

www.MentalHeathFirstAid.org


10

NEXt

NEXt

NEXt

NEX

tNEXt

9

NEXt

NEXt

NEXt

NEXt

Almost done!

Close tohalfway done!

4



Add a small slit for the T-shirt tab.

Use here.

Use here.



Documents

How to Help: ALGEE