NAMI Four County will sponsor a free, day-long Mental Health First Aid class for area clergy, lay leaders and others in helping professions on Tuesday, April 26 at St. John’s Christian Church in Archbold. The class starts at 8 a.m. and will conclude by 4:30 p.m.
The training focuses on how to recognize and get help for persons who are experiencing a mental health crisis by following a five step process called “ALGEE.”
The acronym stands for:
Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
Listen nonjudgmentally.
Give reassurance and information.
Encourage appropriate professional help.
Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
The training is appropriate for anyone whose job or volunteer activities can bring them in contact with individuals or families who have a loved one suffering from a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. Participants are given an overview of symptoms typical of persons suffering from illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others.
They will be taught how to recognize symptoms that can mean the person is at risk of suicide and taught the skills necessary to listen nonjudgmentally and have a meaningful conversation with someone who is in crisis.
Through instruction, demonstration and role-playing, participants will learn how to give reassurance and information to the person in crisis and let them know that mental illnesses are real, treatable illnesses from which people can and do recover.
Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized program that has demonstrated that participants gain a better recognition of mental disorders, a better understanding of treatments, more confidence in providing help to others, and decreased social distance for people with mental health disorders.
The instructor, Tonie Long, completed a week-long training to become certified to teach the class. She is a mental health professional who works for Four County Family Center.
Each participant will receive a thorough 100 plus page Mental Health First Aid manual. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
To register for the training, please contact Lou Levy at 419/399-0952 or by email at louandrene@artelco.net. Class size is limited. The deadline to register is Tuesday, April 19.
INFORMATION PROVIDED