Workshop to provide training in mental health first aid
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As the prevalence of mental illness in the United States continues to rise, there is an increasing need for people qualified to assist in mental health intervention. To help meet this need, Indiana AgrAbility will offer a Mental Health First Aid course on recognizing and responding to mental and emotional crises.
The 12-hour training will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 3 and 4 at IU Health, 642 West Hospital Road, Paoli, Ind. Sessions will include first-aid techniques for eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and self-injury. Roberta Schweitzer, assistant professor of nursing at Purdue University and certified mental health first aid instructor, will lead the sessions.
"Everybody is dealing with stressors of one type or another, and sometimes dealing with those pressures can lead to problematic behaviors," said Paul Jones, project manager of Indiana AgrAbility. "These sessions would be especially helpful for anybody in a helping role, such as Extension educators, health-care providers, educators, police, first responders, social workers or family members – anyone who may be coming into contact with the public on a daily basis."
The goal of the training is not to teach participants how to treat mental illness, Jones said, but rather to train them to identify different kinds of crises, talk and listen appropriately to people in distress, and direct people to proper sources of help.
"With a broad spectrum of issues, it's important to know how to respond appropriately," Jones said. "This training will help participants know how to respond correctly, not trying to do too much, but referring the person to the appropriate service."
Registration is $5 and includes a training manual and lunch. For information on how to register, contact Jones at 765-494-1221, jonesp@purdue.edu. For more information about Mental Health First Aid USA, visit http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
The training is sponsored by Indiana AgrAbility, Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation and IU Health – Paoli.
Writer: Jessica Merzdorf, 765-494-8402, jmerzdor@purdue.edu
Source: Paul Jones, 765-494-1221, jonesp@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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