A local service provider is offering a free training on mental health first aid next week. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board (CSB), which provides services related to mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disorders, is offering a free training on September 26th. Anyone living in the city or county, age 18 and older, can sign up to attend a virtual eight-hour class on "mental health first aid."
MO BOWLER: It teaches people a handful of really fundamental concepts and skills that they can use to provide support to someone who may be having struggles with their mental health.
Mo Bowler is the organization's behavioral health wellness coordinator. The training teaches participants how to recognize the signs of mental health struggles, how to talk and listen to someone going through them, and how to connect them to helpful services.
BOWLER: And then we also cover a variety of crisis-related topics. So, crises related to mental health include substance use, psychosis, suicide or suicidal ideation … and a few other topics.
She said anyone can benefit from this training.
BOWLER: One of our hopes is that through providing these trainings, we're not only imparting certain skills and maybe new levels of confidence with providing first-level intervention or initial intervention when it comes to mental health, but we're also creating opportunities for folks to talk openly about mental health in general.
To register for the course, or ask about setting up a separate training for your organization or group, email prevention@hrcsb.org.
Other trainings in our broadcast region:
- Oct. 18, Region Ten CSB: Youth Mental Health First Aid
- Nov. 14, Region Ten CSB: Adult Mental Health First Aid
- Dec. 12, Region Ten CSB: Youth Mental Health First Aid
- Encompass Community Supports (formerly Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services)
- Northwestern Community Services Board
- Rockbridge Area Community Services
