Free youth mental health first aid course to be offered

Published 8:13 am Tuesday, July 10, 2018

BENTON HARBOR — A local health care provider is looking to help the public learn about youth mental health.

Community members are invited to attend a free youth mental health first aid training course from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, at the Consortium for Community Development, located at 175 West Main St. in Benton Harbor.

The course is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents and teaches participants how to assist young people experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Training reviews typical adolescent development, teaches a five step action plan to help young people in crisis, and helps participants understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269 )556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

Lakeland Health is a nonprofit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, rehabilitation centers, long-term care, hospice, home care services, and physician practices. Lakeland was ranked as a 15 Top U.S. Health System by Truven Health Analytics in 2017. The health system has over 4,000 employees who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout southwest Michigan, and partners with more than 450 affiliated physicians and other providers.

For more information, visit lakelandhealth.org.