Mental Health First Aid classes conducted by the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services are resuming with a new curriculum and on a virtual platform.
Anyone interested in having a better understanding of mental illness and how to help those experiencing a mental health challenge is encouraged to register for an upcoming class. Similar to a medical first aid class, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with someone who is in crisis and connect that person with help.
The virtual training will be based on a new curriculum from the National Council on Behavioral Health that has been in development for more than a year. It includes expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care as well as the impact of social media on young people. There are two versions of the program, one for adults who interact with youth and one for adults in general.
All participants will be required to complete a two-hour, self-paced online training module in advance of the virtual instruction, which will be scheduled for about a week later. Following the completion of the required training module, participants will complete either five or six hours of instructor-led videoconference training, depending on which class they are taking.
The first virtual Mental Health First Aid class is scheduled for November 4-5, 2020. The deadline to register for the class is October 23, 2020.
The Mental Health First Aid trainings are free and open to everyone.
More information, including details on how to register, maybe found online at loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid..
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