NORTH READING — The North Reading Community Impact Team and Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are offering a free two-part course on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) on Wednesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 8.
The classes run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the North Reading Police Department and include a light dinner. This course is appropriate for adults working with youth such as child care staff, coaches, advisors, educators and even caregivers with a child or teen at home.
This is the fourth time the program has been offered to the community. After the most recent course, a local professional educator commented, “The Mental Health First Aid Training has been thought-provoking and has already changed the way I view my students and their mental health.” She added, “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!”
The internationally-recognized program is a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to help others with mental health and substance use challenges. Participants must complete both courses as well as independent pre-work to earn a completion certification. The course will be instructed by Certified Instructor Jen Ford.
Per MHFA policy, a minimum of five participants is needed to facilitate this training. Registrants will receive an email directly from MHFA with the pre-work links (to be completed prior to the November sessions) as well as a detailed email from Jennifer Ford. The course is limited to 15 participants.
To register, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click EVENTS or contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call 978