PORT ANGELES — Peninsula Behavioral Health is offering the first Mental Health First Aid training on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Professionals, community members, family members and other interested parties who wish to improve their mental health literacy will be trained to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness.
Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training certification course that teaches participants a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select and implement interventions, provide referrals and secure appropriate care for the individual.
Registration begins in early October. Cost is $75.
“We are really excited about bringing Mental Health First Aid to our community,” said Executive Director Peter Casey.
“This important educational effort goes a lot further than emergency intervention.
“It really helps people understand the shroud of fear and misjudgment facing individuals and families who experience mental illness and addiction.”
Casey added that the course will help “reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and move more people toward recovery.”
For more information or to participate, visit www.peninsulabehavioral.org or phone Julie Calabria at Peninsula Behavioral Health at 360-457-0431, ext. 158.
