Mental Health First Aid is a one-day training course for people ages 16 and over that is similar to regular first aid but deals with mental health problems. Many people with mental disorders delay seeking help, but they are more likely to receive professional help when suggested by someone in their social network. Members of the public are far more likely to have contact with someone in a mental health crisis, such as being suicidal, and want to know how to respond.

During the eight-hour course, you’ll learn the signs and symptoms of different types of mental illnesses, how they can affect a person’s daily life and what you can do to help when someone you know is experiencing these challenges. You’ll learn about:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders
• A 5-step action plan to help when someone is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis
• Increasing awareness, decreasing stigma, and increasing confidence in providing help

Mental Health First Aid teaches about early intervention and support to foster recovery and resiliency and is based on the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and can use their strengths to stay well. You can learn more at www.mentalheathfirstaid.org

To sign up, contact Tomy Baker at 502-855-6048 or info@famchildplace.org.