WAMHC to offer Adult Mental Health First Aid Training

The West Alabama Mental Health Center (WAMHC) in Demopolis is offering an adult mental health first aid training course on Monday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The course, similar to a first aid course, specifically offers mental health first aid training so individuals are more prepared to help those experiencing a mental health emergency before they can get professional help and support.

The course will be held at the West Alabama Mental Health Center located at 1215 South Walnut Avenue in Demopolis. Registration ends March 24.

Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, impulse control, and misuse of alcohol and other drugs are common in the United States. In fact, more than one in four American adults will have a mental health problem in a year. The National Council on Community Behavioral Healthcare has begun working with communities throughout the nation, including WAMHC, to implement mental health first aid to arm the public with skills to help individuals who are developing a mental health issue or experiencing a mental health crisis. The clinical and qualitative evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness, thus improving outcomes for individuals experiencing these illnesses.

WAMHC is a regional mental health center located in the Black Belt area of West Alabama, serving Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Marengo, and Sumter Counties. WAMHC is a comprehensive community mental health center providing services to people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, and children with serious emotional disorders. The prevention program helps at-risk and other students stay off drugs and in school. The agency also works with many community agencies to bridge the gap between services.

For more information on Mental Health First Aid, visit www.thenationalcouncil.org.

To register, contact Carolyn Morrison at (334) 289-2410.