Making An Impact is a column authored by members of the Community Impact Team (CIT). The Transcript publishes these articles periodically to inform our readers about the resources and programming available to people of all ages in our community through the CIT’s efforts.
NORTH READING — According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults – approximately 58 million Americans – experience a mental illness each year.
In 2021, only 47% of adults with mental illness received treatment (https://www.nami.org/mhstats), and per Mental Health America (MHA), Massachusetts ranks 41st nationally in 2023, with 63.9% (47,000) of youth having private health insurance that does not cover mental health services.
Ninety percent of police officers surveyed nationally reported stigma as a barrier to seeking mental health help (https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2023/08/dismantling-mental-health-stigma-in-public-safety/ ).
Thanks to the North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition (the Coalition), and state grant funding, NRPD Lt. Derek Howe, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Clinician Laura Miranda, and Coalition Chair Jennifer Ford all became certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors in January 2023. Utilizing the Mental Health First Aid curriculum, the Coalition’s inhouse trainers now provide trainings based on the trusted, evidence-based program that educates participants about mental health and substance-use related issues.
The training works to inform participants about warning signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use crises in themselves, youth, peers, community members, and others. This eight-hour training is interactive and facilitates discussion, self-reflection, and peer-to-peer communication about different experiences. For example, one exercise encourages participants to reflect on whether various statements would be helpful or unhelpful to say to someone in crisis. Participants receive certification, and the certification is valid for three years.
Lt. Howe and Miranda are trainers in Mental Health First Aid (Adult), Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS, and Mental Health First Aid for Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Public Safety. Being trained in these versions of Mental Health First Aid enabled Howe and Miranda to administer trainings to North Reading’s first responders from both the Police and Fire Departments. Sworn members of the North Reading Police Department, and several members from the North Reading Fire Department are now certified in Mental Health First Aid. These trainings were funded by a grant through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Ford is a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, which focuses on empowering adults with the skills and confidence to best support youth, especially those who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. During the June Coalition meeting, guest NRHS teachers and coaches, Eddie Blum and Matt Costello, learned of this opportunity and advocated to schedule a training for interested NRHS staff. The Coalition facilitated training immediately, with nine high school teachers and coaches completing the training in early August.
Upon completion of the course, NRHS math teacher and Curriculum Coordinator Andrea Gagnon said, “The Mental Health First Aid Training has been thought-provoking and has already changed the way I view my students and their mental health. This training is helping me become a more well-rounded educator and not only focus on supporting students academically, but also socially and emotionally. I highly recommend this training to everyone.”
September training session offered
Ford is thrilled to offer additional training before the end of December with another already scheduled on Tuesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 28 from 5-9:30 p.m. To learn more, please check out the Community Impact Team webpage, https://www.northreadingma.gov/cit. These trainings are provided free of charge courtesy of the North Reading Community Impact Team and Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition and will include a light dinner, individual self-paced pre-session work plus eight hours of instructor-led training.
Those seeking education on how to recognize the beginning stages of someone in crisis, as well as how to facilitate access to resources, are encouraged to consider attending a Mental Health First Aid training. Howe, Miranda, and Ford all look forward to bringing this training opportunity to the greater community in the future and are committed to making Mental Health First Aid training as common as CPR.
For more information on Mental Health First Aid, go to https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/