This training is FREE, sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Auburn First United Methodist Church.
Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a teen might be showing signs of alcoholism. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
The training itself is 8 hours with a 1 hour lunch break. It will be given by Colleen Carpenter, MA, MPH. She is a certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid, as well as a Master Trainer in ASIST and QPR suicide prevention.
During the event, a light breakfast, bottled water, and boxed lunch will be provided for you. Currently our building is under construction.Please email Sara Miller, [email protected], if you are unable to use stairs so we can make accommodations that allow everyone to be included in this event.