The Phinney Neighborhood Association is presenting a special Mental Health First Aid class in March. It is offered in two formats: an eight-hour training course on Monday, March 5; or two four-hour classes from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesdays March 13 and 20. Cost is $70 for PNA members or $80 for non-members.
Mental Health First Aid is an interactive 8-hour training course that presents an overview of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in the U.S. The course introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and reviews common treatments.
The course offers easy to follow materials for non-clinicians to identify, understand, and provide initial help to individuals in crisis or showing symptoms of a mental illness or substance use disorder. The course is a terrific opportunity to bring people together across the community on a topic of importance to everyone. Mental Health First Aid can:
- Enhance community level capacity to identify mental health and substance abuse issues early on
- Increase awareness of and refer people to resources
- Increase the confidence of natural helpers to intervene
- Broaden the concepts of “workforce” and “first responders” to support the community as a whole
- Decrease any negative opinions about individuals living with a mental health or substance use concern
- Reinforce that mental health and substance abuse issues can be viewed in a health framework
The training is appropriate for a wide variety of audiences, including:
- Community health workers, tribal health workers, Promotoras/Promotores
- Employers and business leaders
- Law enforcement personnel
- Corrections officers and parole/probation officers
- EMS personnel
- School personnel and educators
- Members of faith communities and their leaders
- Medical providers (e.g., nurses, medical assistants)
- Employees of service-oriented businesses (dry cleaners, barber shops, etc)
- Librarians
- Policymakers
- Volunteer
- Anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction
