Dutchess County Training Residents in Mental Health First Aid

Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH), in partnership with Hudson River Housing, will offer a Mental Health First Aid training on Tuesday, October 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The training will be held at Hudson River Housing’s headquarters located at 313 Mill Street in Poughkeepsie.  The training is free and open to the public, but registration prior to the event is required. Seating is limited. No prior mental health training is required.

Hosted by DBCH staff, Mental Health First Aid training offers skills anyone can use to assist someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health emergency. Through a five-step action plan, people trained in Mental Health First Aid can recognize and assist a person who may be dealing with a panic attack, thoughts of suicide, substance use issues, and more, during the critical time before connecting them to professional help. Participants will have the opportunity to practice what they learn in group activities throughout the session.

“One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care,” said DBCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH. “Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in. Trainings like these are a tremendous help in these situations.”

To register, please contact Jean-Marie Niebuhr at (845) 486-2885 or jmniebuhr@dutchessny.gov.