Loudoun County offers ongoing mental health education and substance abuse prevention programs. All programs are free, but registration is required, and seats are limited. The schedule of upcoming classes for October 2022 is as follows:
Adverse Childhood Experiences Training
The Adverse Childhood Experiences training is a one-hour educational program that aims to raise awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness and substance use problems in adulthood. The training teaches that ACE prevention is a key to improving a community’s well-being. The virtual training presentation lasts about one hour. Discussion and a question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
The next class will be held October 19, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/childhoodadversitytraining.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid offers training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. The training also teaches the skills that someone needs to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The trainings are usually held over a two-day period, with the class lasting for about three hours each day.
The next training of Adult Mental Health First Aid will be held October 12 & 13, 2022, 9:00 am. – 1:30 p.m. each day. The in-person training will be at the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services office at 906 Trailview Blvd. SE, Leesburg. For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.
Opioid Overdose Reversal
REVIVE! is the opioid overdose and naloxone education program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The training is free and anyone who uses opioids or knows someone who is using opioids is encouraged to attend a training. Loudoun County offers two versions of the program - Rapid REVIVE! and Virtual REVIVE!
Rapid REVIVE! is a shortened format that allows individuals to complete the training in six minutes. After watching a short video and then providing their contact information, participants receive free naloxone nasal spray. They may choose to receive naloxone by mail or arrange pickup. Rapid REVIVE! is available anytime. No registration is required. Visit loudoun.gov/rapidrevive to start the training.
Virtual REVIVE! is a one-hour scheduled training session that requires registration. Participants who complete the training are also eligible to receive free naloxone nasal spray. They may choose to receive naloxone by mail or arrange pickup. The next scheduled training will be held October 7, 2022, 12:00 -1:00 p.m. REVIVE! trainings can also be scheduled upon request. For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/revive.
Suicide Prevention Training
The Question Persuade Refer program offers training to help people recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to refer someone for professional help. The suicide prevention training teaches three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide; question, persuade and refer. The virtual training presentation lasts about one hour. Discussion and practice opportunities will follow the presentation.
The October class will be held October 20, 2022, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. For details about the training and to register, visit loudoun.gov/suicidepreventiontraining.
For More Information
For more information on the prevention and intervention services offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, visit loudoun.gov/mhsadsprevention or send an email.
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