Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. General Requirements. The Contractor (a single vendor or single vendor with multiple partners) will organize multiple training opportunities and provide the state all Mental Health First Aid administrative and training functions, ongoing training support and training evaluation information as part of an 8-hour public education program to develop adequate trainer capacity across the state. Trainings will introduce participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, build understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teach individuals how to help adolescents or transition age-youth, minority, older adult, and faith community populations in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The Mental Health First Aid training will teach participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of common mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support an individual developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying common Mental Health First Aid lessons and strategies. The Mental Heal First Aid training must be conducted by certified Mental Health First Aid trainers whose demographic diversity are reflective of the training audience, with consideration given to the participants’ profession, racial background, age, gender, sexual orientation identification, and lived experience. The Contractor shall support trainers and develop strategies to address trainer turnover and promote a sustainable population or trainers throughout the state. B. Curricula Elements. The Mental Health First Aid USA course was created by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. The Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum shall include but not necessarily be limited to applying the core five-step action plan: • Assess for risk of suicide or harm • Listen nonjudgmentally • Give reassurance and information • Encourage appropriate professional help • Encourage self-help and other support strategies Curricula shall incorporate the Mental Health First Aid message and action plan in anti-stigma campaign approaches and generate interest by targeting large organizations for training (i.e., state employees, health systems, colleges/universities/trade schools, etc.)