The Power of Asking, “Are You OK?” Bringing Mental Health First Aid to Rural Texas
- Callie Wren
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Conversations about mental health are becoming more visible, urgent, and community-driven in rural North Texas. This shift is due in part to training programs such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an evidence-based program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Delivered virtually and in-person, MHFA teaches everyday people how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Trainees learn how to start conversations, respond calmly, and guide someone toward appropriate help.
While anyone can complete MHFA training, common trainees include education personnel, first responders, medical staff, and childcare providers.
As MHFA Coordinator for Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral and Developmental Healthcare, Casey Coy organizes and instructs MHFA courses across Johnson, Hood, Parker, Palo Pinto, Somervell, and Erath counties. Within these communities, she said trainees most often point to suicidality as the most concerning mental health issue.
“When awareness is limited, suicidality stands out because early warning signs can go unnoticed,” Coy explained. “MHFA certification helps close that gap by building awareness, improving recognition of early signs, and giving people the tools to support others.”
Coy has seen trainees become more open, understanding, and thoughtful in how they help others in distress. According to Coy, increased knowledge can soften assumptions and reduce fear, helping people respond with empathy instead of hesitation.
MHFA training also helps address misconceptions, such as the belief that mental health challenges are always obvious or easy to recognize, that you must be a professional to help someone, or that saying the "wrong thing" (such as asking directly about suicide) will make a situation worse.
Coy said trainees leave feeling more confident in discussing mental health concerns. Among educators, she’s seen a particularly powerful shift in perspective. Some who initially viewed student mental health as outside their role came to realize they may be the first or only adult to notice when a child is struggling.
Coy emphasized that the first people to notice changes in behavior or mood are often not professionals; they’re friends, relatives, coworkers, educators, and neighbors. That is why broad community awareness is essential, particularly in rural areas where people may be less likely to seek formal help.
Demand for MHFA training has grown significantly in recent years. In Texas, that momentum has been supported by House Bill 3, which requires evidence-based mental health training for school district employees who regularly interact with students. Youth MHFA certification is the preferred option that fulfills that requirement.
For anyone unsure about MHFA, Coy emphasized that the training is approachable and practical. It does not ask participants to place themselves in unsafe situations or take on the role of a therapist. Instead, it gives them the tools to recognize concerns, begin supportive conversations, and help connect others with professional care when needed.
About Casey Coy
Coy’s four years working in individual and family case management led her to focus more on mental health education and outreach. This career shift would ultimately help her address some root causes of mental health disparities, including misconceptions about mental illness and lack of awareness of signs and symptoms.
Although she just started working as a MHFA Coordinator about a year ago, Coy has already been recognized by the Texas Council of Community Centers as a top outreach professional.
“It’s especially meaningful to bring this training to rural counties where mental health awareness has historically been more limited,” she said. “Increasing access, building understanding, and supporting Pecan Valley Centers’ mission has been incredibly rewarding.”
As more communities look for ways to support mental wellbeing, Coy believes MHFA offers a powerful starting point: helping ordinary people recognize distress, respond with care, and remind others they do not have to face challenges alone.
Learn more about Mental Health First Aid trainings through Pecan Valley Centers.
Pecan Valley Centers is the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority for six Texas counties: Hood, Johnson, Erath, Somervell, Parker and Palo Pinto. The organization is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and provides mental health and IDD community support services to individuals regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.
