Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Quay County Health Council will offer a virtual mental health first aid training session next month.
"The pandemic has brought to light the need for mental health support for many in our communities,” Brenda Bishop, Quay County Health Council Coordinator said.
This course will be on Sept. 17 and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon over the Zoom videoconference platform. Before the first class, there will be a couple of hours of online preliminary work participants can do at their own pace. The registration deadline is Sept. 1; for those who register before that time, the Health Council will cover the registration fees. To obtain a registration form, send an email to [email protected].
Most people would know how to help if they saw someone having a heart attack, such as starting CPR or calling 9-1-1. But too few would know how to respond if they saw someone having a panic attack or if they saw a friend or co-worker with signs of depression.
Mental health first aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health or substance-use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches how to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or a substance-use disorder.
During the course, participants will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in crisis and non-crisis situations and where to turn for help. Topics covered in the training include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and substance-use disorders.
Mental health first aid teaches about recovery and resiliency — the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better and use their strengths to stay well.
The training is appropriate for teachers, first responders, veterans, parents, elected officials, ministers and anyone who interacts with others and is concerned about people.