Anonymous Gift Provides Free Mental Health First Aid Training for Community
Posted 12/16/2009
An anonymous donor’s $25,000 gift is helping scores of community members better understand mental illness and substance abuse while reducing the stigma of accessing care.
A large portion of the donation will allow Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group to provide free Mental Health First Aid classes at various locations during the next several months. The most recent class was held at the state-of-the-art Julie Penrose Health Education & Research Center at 6071 Woodmen Rd., Suite 220.
An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When applied to recent U.S. Census data, that translates to about 58 million people.
“Chances are that someone in your workplace, your neighborhood, maybe even your family is suffering from a mental illness,” said Dr. Fred Michel, M.D., chief medical officer for Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group. “This training helps regular citizens recognize when serious conditions are present and teaches them how to safely react until trained professionals can intervene.”
Just as CPR classes empower people to respond to individuals in a cardiovascular emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select and implement interventions, and secure appropriate professional care for someone in a mental health crisis.
Additionally, the certification program introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance abuse problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. The classes include complimentary lunches provided by Café Moreno, a Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group organization dedicated to culinary arts training and employing individuals with mental illness and related disabilities.
“It’s wonderful to live in a community where people are so generous as well as concerned about the stigma that surrounds mental illness,” said Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group CEO Morris L. Roth. “We’ve made much progress in helping the general population better understand mental illnesses. This donation will keep us moving in the right direction.”
Military staff and families, medical professionals, law enforcement, emergency responders, teachers and faith leaders are among the groups encouraged to participate in the 12-hour, 2-day training certification course. However, anyone is accepted into the program as long as space is available.
For more information on available slots and upcoming training sessions, contact Jason DeaBueno at (719) 314-4307 or jason.deabueno@ppbhg.org.
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