You Matter: Mental Health First-Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid training is designed to do just this: help you recognize signs and symptoms and know what to do in a mental health crisis to help a family member, friend or person with whom you come into contact.

Wyandot Center and PACES will offer the next Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day with time for breaks and lunch. The 12-hour program will be offered at Wyandot Center’s 1301 North 47th Street Building and is open to the community. There is a $40 fee per each participant. Register by emailing Beth Yoder Stein at yoderstein_b@wmhci.org, or contact her for more information at 913-328-4633.

The Jewish Community Mental Health Coalition, in cooperation with the Johnson County Mental Health Center, is offering a Mental Health First Aid Course Thursday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 7. The two-day course will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at the County Mental Health Center, 6000 Lamar, Suite 130 in Mission, Kansas.
The Jewish Community Mental Health Coalition is a joint program of JFS and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and was formed to provide the community with critical information about this area. The JCMHC concluded that such a mental health first aid was needed. This course is taught by a certified instructor; participants who complete the 12-hour course become certified as a Mental Health First Aider.

During the Mental Health First Aid course participants will learn to identify potential risk factors and warning signs. Participants also learned how to implement a five-step action plan to help a person in crisis who is:
· Threatening suicide
· Having a panic attack
· Showing signs of an eating disorder
· Under acute stress
· Hurting themselves or others
· Has uncontrolled behavior
· Intoxicated or showing signs of substance abuse
· Depressed

The cost to participate in the course is $25; you may register on line at www.mentalhealth.joco.gov. For questions, please call Carol or Tanya at (913) 831-2550.