Staff Reports

Purdue Extension is hosting a mental health first aid class at Scott County Partnership, 1092 W. Community Way, Scottsburg.

The in-person instruction is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15, and the class is open to other counties, too.

Adult mental health first aid is an evidence-based course that teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The class also teaches signs and symptoms for a variety of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma and deliberate self-injury.

Awareness and understanding of the impact mental health and substance use can have also will be shared along with how to assist those in need to get help from a health professional.

The class includes two hours of online self-paced learning, six hours of in-person instruction led by Purdue Extension staff and a mental health first aid participant manual.

Participants must complete the online self-paced learning at least 48 hours before attending the live instruction. Those who do not complete the self-paced learning will not be admitted to the live instruction.

Similar to becoming certified in CPR, there is a requirement that to be certified in adult mental health first aid, participants will attend and participate in all course content and activities.

For the in-person portion of the course, masks are encouraged but not required, and the cost is $20 per person.

Class size is for a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 30 participants with lunch and snacks provided.

Advance registration is required to attend. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Sept. 1.

For information, contact the course instructors, Marilyn Sink ([email protected]) or Marcia Parcell ([email protected]).