Mental Health First Aid courses available to P.E.I. residents
Islanders who want to interact more confidently about mental health with their family, friends and co-workers can now take a new mental health first aid training course.
The courses will be offered through a partnership between Island First Aid and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), beginning Nov. 20-21 at14 Myrtle St. in Stratford.
Mental Health First Aid Services engages confidently where a person may be a danger to themselves or others, provides help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state, promotes the recovery of good mental health and provides comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem.
The course focuses on the four most common mental health disorders: substancerelated; mood-related; anxietyand trauma-related and psychotic disorders.
In recent months, Island First Aid Services has been receiving increasing calls and inquires regarding the program.
“I recognized the need but did not have the staff with expertise in mental health to have (been) trained to deliver the program,” said Chris Landry, owner of Island First Aid Services. “This is what prompted me to reach out to the Canadian Mental Health Association - this was their area of expertise.”
CMHA has been delivering Mental Health First Aid for six years in P.E.I.
“The partnership just makes sense,” says Les Wagner of the Canadian Mental Health Association. “Island First Aid Services has an excellent service delivery reputation and Mental Health First Aid is a natural addition to their course complement. We can bring the expertise and address the needs of both groups of clientele”.
Registration for the courses can be made online at Islandfirstaid.ca.
For more information on mental health first aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.ca.