(Sibley)– Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will be holding a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training session Thursday, February 26th at the Presbyterian Church in Sibley. The day long session will run from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm.
Sara Wurm, Vice President of Program Development and Specialized Services at Seasons Center says a number of topics will be covered, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bullying, social media, substance abuse and ADHD. She explains who the training is targeted toward…
“Anyone that encounters young people from social workers, educators, councilors, those in healthcare, clergy or faith-based communities, coaches, mentors, even parents or caregivers. It really teaches similar to CPR in the health situation. It really teaches how to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges or mental health crisis. A couple of key things that the curriculum teaches is really how to assess for that risk, approach the situation, listen, give reassurance and information and then how to encourage individuals to access appropriate professional help including some resources for that as well as encourage self help or self care and other supportive strategies.”
Wurm adds the curriculum is evidence-based…
“One in five youth in the United States experience a mental health disorder in the lives, and it can impact anybody. So we just really like to get that education out there of how to recognize what they are, what is kind of that normal ages and stages of typical development and then how can we assist and approach in those different situations as we work with youth and we maybe see some things that are that early stage and then as things maybe get a little bit worse and then as they may develop into crisis. The earlier we can intervene the better.”
The February 26th session is free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. You can sign up online on the Seasons Center Facebook Events page or at the Season’s Center website under Resources and Events. Continuing education credits will also be available for attendees.
