Free training offered to provide mental health first aid

TAZEWELL COUNTY (25News Now) - The Tazewell County Health Department is offering free mental health first aid training.

The training gives people 18 or older the skills to recognize, understand and respond to someone who is experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge.

One-in-five adults has a mental health challenge at some point in their lifetime, said Kim Litwiller, who is a Tazewell County health educator.

Litwiller said the county hopes to train 200 people by Sept. 1.

“Throughout this class, we are really working at utilizing language that reduces stigma, that increases understanding, so that when we do encounter friends, family, coworkers, strangers that are having a mental health challenge, we can respond with a sense of urgency and understanding, so we can stand in the gap and help that person know they are not alone, and there is help available,” Litwiller said.

Once participants finish the session, they will be certified for three years.

The county applied for a community needs grant to offer the free training.

More information can be found on the Tazewell County Health Department’s website.

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