New mental health paraprofessionals stand ready to help Peoria

PEORIA (25 News Now) - The River City has 25 new paraprofessionals trained in mental health.

They are ready to recognize a need and they know where to send people for mental health assistance.

They met at Carver Center Friday for a training session.

They were taught the basic mental health disorders, how to help people, and talk to people who need resources.

Each person received a certificate.

“After they complete their training, they’ll be able to take their skills back to their community and when an individual comes in who may have a mental health disorder, they’ll be able to identify, talk to them, removing the fear of receiving services, and provide them with mental health resources,” said Agbara Bryson, founder of the Annie Malone Mental Health Initiative.

He says there will be more training sessions.