Dutchess County Training Residents in  Youth Mental Health First Aid

Dutchess County Training Residents in

 Youth Mental Health First Aid

Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) will offer a Youth Mental Health First Aid training on Tuesday, October 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The training will be held at Dutchess County’s Training Room located at 230 North Road 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, Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This 8-hour training gives adults the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents (ages 12-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Through the ALGEE five-step action plan (Assess, Listen, Give, Encourage, Encourage), people trained in Mental Health First Aid can recognize and assist a young 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 teens and young adults lives with a mental health condition, and 64 percent of youth with major depression do not receive any treatment. Too many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care,” said DBCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH. “Mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Teachers, coaches, counselors and even parents sometimes have a hard time knowing when and how to step in. Trainings like these are a tremendous help in these situations.”

This training is just one more tool Dutchess County offers as a resource for youth in our community. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use problem can call or text HELPLINE at (845) 485-9700, or walk in to the Stabilization Center located at 230 North Rd in Poughkeepsie. Dutchess County’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Team, made up of caring mental health professionals, can go directly to a person in crisis to help prevent a situation from getting worse. Educators, youth counselors and parents are encouraged to take advantage of all these resources offered at the county level.

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

Author: Harlem Valley News