Almost everyone knows what actions to take in the event of physical injury: apply first aid techniques. However, as youth are increasingly challenged by mental health issues, educational institutions in particular have sought knowledge of best practices.
Mental health first aid is a research-based curriculum that has been implemented worldwide to teach about mental health conditions, how to respond to a youth with mental health conditions, and where to find available resources to help the youth.
Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County partnered with the Women’s Legacy Fund, which is administered by the Montgomery County Community Foundation, to train a cohort of local educators in a no-cost Mental Health First Aid workshop. Held Feb. 23 at the Hoosier Heartland Success Center, the workshop was led by Franciscan Health trainers Tina Hoffman and Stacy Zambala. Participants spent eight hours working through the in-depth MHFA content and took home a 400 page manual plus stress/anxiety manipulatives to use when working with the youth.
Representatives from Crawfordsville, North Montgomery and South Montgomery schools included: Lore Apple, Amy Bales, Jaclyn Baxter, Jordan Chandler, Laura Duncan, Kirstie McClamroch, Lesley Lashley, Nathan Mason, Kaylynn Keedy Ranspach, Alicia Smith, Mary Scheidler, Mallory Tucker, Marci Welliever and Carrie Woolwine. Cameron Cole of the Youth Service Bureau also completed the training.
Volunteers for Mental Health has additional mental health training sessions planned. Stay aware of the latest offerings or visit www.vmhmc.org.
Volunteers for Mental Health is a partner agency of United Way of Montgomery County, supported by the generosity of the people of this great community.
