Free Mental Health First Aid Classes Offered
KL | Jun 05, 2014 | Comments 0
Have you ever wondered what to do when someone you know is having an emotional crisis? One out of four people you meet has struggled with a mental health problem at some point. But there is hope. And it is you.
For over a century, Red Cross First Aid and CPR classes have been successful in teaching the public how to respond to physical injuries. Now, Mental Health First Aid classes are available to teach people how to respond to psychological distress, like depression, anxiety, substance abuse or eating disorders. Mental Health First Aid skills can be applied anytime, anywhere, and to anyone in distress.
Southeast Health Group is now offering free Mental Health First Aid classes throughout southeastern Colorado to schools, law enforcement agencies, church communities and the general public. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps you identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in your friends, family members, co-workers and acquaintances.
Funding for this initiative has come from the Colorado Legislature, which agreed in March 2014 to designate $750,000 toward statewide MHFA training. Across the country, about 350 people every day are getting trained. “This is an unstoppable movement,” said Sarah Voigts , coordinator for MHFA classes at Southeast Health Group. “The public is weary of hearing about suicides and tragedies where someone needed help and no one noticed. Just like Red Cross First Aid or CPR training, the general public can get the skills they need to help someone experiencing emotional distress.”
Southeast Health Group will be offering MHFA classes locally over the next month at the following dates and times:
- Adult MHFA La Junta Sat., June 14th 7:45am to 5pm
- Youth MHFA La Junta Sat., June 28th 8am to 5:15pm
- Adult MHFA Lamar Mon., June 23rd 7:45am to 5pm
- Youth MHFA Lamar Fri., June 27th 7:45am to 5pm
To sign up for a free Mental Health First Aid class, call 1-800-511-5446 or visit www.southeasthealthgroup.org.
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Filed Under: community • County • Education • Events • Health • Lamar • Prowers County
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