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Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Offered in Southbury

Voices - 7/22/2017

SOUTHBURY - The nationally recognized Youth Mental Health First Aid Training certification program will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m.August 14 and 16 at the Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus located at 444 Main St. North.

The program is open to the public and free of charge.

YMHFA training is an evidence-based program designed to help prepare adults and teenage leaders to recognize and address mental health problems among youths.

The training is eight hours long and teaches participants how to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses and substance use disorders, de-escalate crisis situations safely and initiate timely referrals to mental health and substance abuse resources available in the community.

YMHFA training is made possible through federal grant funding provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Through this grant award, EdAdvance, which is the Regional Educational Service Center in Western Connecticut and Mental Health Connecticut are working collaboratively to saturate the region with thousands of mental health first-aiders.

Under the auspices of Project AWARE, mental health first-aiders will be better prepared to understand the prevalence of various mental health disorders and reduce the stigma of mental health challenges in their communities.

YMHFA trainings are designed for people who do not already have advanced education or training in mental or behavioral health professions.

Individuals from all educational and professional backgrounds are welcome.

Coaches, teachers, youth group leaders, scout leaders, parent volunteers, faith-based communities, police officers, camp counselors, nurses, college students and medical first responders are among the thousands already trained across the country.

Student leaders in grades 11 and 12 are also eligible for certification.

Participants must attend all eight hours of training in order to receive certification.

First-aiders will receive a comprehensive guidebook developed to provide easy access to mental health information.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served at the training sessions.

Registration is required.

Those interested may register by calling Amanda DelVicario of EdAdvance at 860-567-0863 or emailing YMHFA@edadvance.org.