Madison City Schools to offer free sessions for ‘Youth Mental Health First Aid’

MADISON – Madison City Schools is offering free sessions to identify ways to recognize, understand and respond to signs of challenges that young people face with mental health and substance use.

The “Youth Mental Health First Aid” course involves two-hour online training that the participant must complete before an in-person class on June 23 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Central Office board room, 211 Celtic Drive. MCS parents and guardians can attend.

Participants must successfully complete both the self-paced and in-person portions to satisfy the course’s certification process.

The MCS staff for Mental Health Resources said class size is limited to 25 people. Registration is required. The class guidebook, which normally costs $30, will be free to participants.

Mental Health First Aid is a nationally known program that has trained millions of people across the country. Participants will learn ways to help a child or friend who is struggling. This training is affiliated with National Council of Mental Wellbeing, which represents 3,200-plus organizations that treat mental health and substance use.

This ‘first aid’ training has documented results:

• Mental health challenges — Show reduced stigma and increased empathy toward people with mental health challenges.

• Identifications — Know the signs, symptoms and risk factors of problems.

• Personal awareness — Show greater confidence and likelihood to help someone in distress.

• Personal wellbeing — Use skills and knowledge in ‘first aid’ to promote the participant’s sound health.

A ‘First Aider’ can be anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer. First Aiders are neighbors, parents, friends, teachers, first responders and veterans – even a coworker or classmate.

This training removes fear and hesitation in talking about mental health. The training gives people the tools to start these conversations and provide stigma- free support.

Youth Mental Health First Aid does not replace professional help. ‘First aid’ gives support to someone until the appropriate kind of help is available.

The course explains the First Aid Action Plan. The plan’s steps include checking if the person needs help; listening with care and respect; and helping the person find the correct professional support. A doctor, counselor, social worker or psychiatrist could provide this support.

To register, visit forms.gle/4T6u6BZFmfBTK8mWA. A participant will receive email after registration to create a Connect account, which is required to enroll in the course’s online portion.

For more information, visit mentalhealthfirstaid. org/about or mentalhealthfirstaid. org/take-a-course/whatyou- learn.