The Northeastern Iowa Synod is offering a series of Mental Health First Aid training sessions in September to help people learn how to identify, understand and respond to someone who is showing signs of a mental health crisis or substance use disorder.
Just as CPR training helps a person with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps a person provide initial help and support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate professional help arrives. The training can benefit any congregation member, especially clergy members, staff, volunteers, parents, and those who work with youth.
3 SESSIONS WILL BE OFFERED
Instructors trained through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing will lead three different in-person sessions:
Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities
Monday, Sept. 25
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Bethany Lutheran, Iowa Falls
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Thursday, Sept. 28
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Decorah Lutheran, Decorah
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Saturday, Sept. 30
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., St. John Lutheran, Guttenberg, with 2 hours of online pre-work
Each course covers the common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, how to interact with a person in crisis, how to connect a person with help, and other information about trauma, substance use and self-care. The youth course will also talk about challenges related to that age group, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and social media and bullying.
Participants will learn how to respond to a variety of situations, including when someone is experiencing a panic attack, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, self-injury, hallucinations or delusions, overdose or withdrawal from alcohol or drug use, or reaction to a traumatic event. An important component of each course is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy, rather than just learn about it, which can make it easier to apply in a real-life situation.
REGISTER BY SEPT. 11, 2023
Thanks to a generous gift from Winnebago Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, the cost of this training has been reduced to $10 per person for each session.
Register online by Monday, Sept. 11. Questions can be emailed to Pastor Kristen Rod or call 319-352-1414. Learn more about Mental Health First Aid Training at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
