Youth, adult mental health first aid training offered

Two training courses designed to provide skills to recognize and help those with mental health problems will be conducted by the West Alabama Mental Health Center (WAMHC).

Both sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the center, 1215 S. Walnut Ave. The Adult Mental Health First Aid Training will be Monday, August 12. It is open to the general public, first responders, educators, local leaders and pastors. The training for youths is scheduled for Monday, August 19.

Carolyn Morrison, special projects coordinator for WAMHC, said mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, impulse control and misuse of alcohol and other drugs are common. She said more than one in four American adults will have a mental health problem in a year.

The West Alabama Mental Health Center is working with the National Council on Community Behavioral Healthcare to arm the public with skills to help those who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crises.

The sessions will help the public better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness, and improve outcomes, Morrison said.

To register, call Morrison at 289-2410, ext. 20204. Registration deadline for the adult class is August 8, and for the youth session, August 14.

WAMHC is a regional mental health center serving Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Marengo and Sumter counties.