Saint Leo University Offers Free Mental Health First Aid Courses

From Saint Leo University: Saint Leo University’s Human Services Department is offering the public, students, faculty, and staff a free opportunity to learn more about mental health first aid and how it can be beneficial.

Taught by two certified instructors, these mental health first aid courses focus on recovery and resiliency, the belief that individuals experiencing mental health challenges can and do get better, and that they can use their strengths to stay well.

Just as CPR helps assist an individual having a heart attack, mental health first aid helps assist someone experiencing a mental-health-related crisis—even if you have no clinical training. In these mental health first aid courses, participants learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

The courses will teach how to apply the mental health first aid five-step action plan in a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing panic attacks, suicidal behaviors, acute psychosis, or reaction to trauma. The opportunity to practice through role play, scenarios, and activities makes it easier to apply these skills in a real-life situation.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, health and human services workers, and others to help an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and eating disorders.

Adult Mental First Aid is appropriate for anyone 18 or older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health-related crisis or problem. Topics covered will be anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions.

The courses will be held at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, about four miles east of Interstate 75 (Exit 285) in the town of St. Leo. Free parking is available in surface lots and in the campus garage.

The mental health first aid for youth class is scheduled for Monday, June 5, in Kirk Hall. The mental health first aid for adults class is scheduled for Monday, July 17, in the Student Community Center Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardroom C. Both sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A minimum of 15 registered participants is necessary for the class to be held.

RSVP at the following links: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mental-health-first-aid-tickets-33408462611; Adults: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adult-mental-health-first-aid-tickets-33409145654.

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