MEEKER I The youth version of the Mental Health First Aid class will be taught to parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human service workers and other caring citizens on how to help an adolescent (ages 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or who is in crisis.
The class will be held in two four-hour segments at Mountain Valley Bank on July 21 and 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. To register for the class, please leave a message with your name and e-mail address at 878-9965.
The Youth MHFA class is primarily designed for adults who have regular contact with young people. Anyone 16 and up can attend the class, which will introduce people to common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in crisis and non-crisis situations.
Topics will include, anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD) and eating disorders. Attendees will walk away knowing what to do and how to help someone struggling with any of these conditions.
Each participant will leave with a resource manual, eight continuing education units/credits (if needed) and education about typical and non-typical adolescent behaviors.
The Meeker Lions Club is sponsoring the classes and the group donated the books.
Margot Robb is donating her time to teach the classes. She is certified by the National Behavior Health Council and is a licensed clinical social worker and a master level addictions counselor with 30 years experience.
No more than 30 people can attend the classes at one time, so those wishing to attend should register early.
To learn more about the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), go to MHFAUSA.org.
