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Wespath Offers Mental Health First Aid Training in March

by | Jan 25, 2022 | North District Newsletter, Board of Pension and Health, West District Newsletter

According to statistics, one in every five Americans experience mental illness each year.  The signs of someone struggling with mental health are often subtle, leaving conditions undetected, and therefore undiagnosed and untreated.  It’s important to not only recognize these signs in ourselves but in our family, friends, and colleagues so that we can provide the support that they need when they need it.

To address the issues of mental health, Wespath is offering live, virtual Mental Health First Aid training sessions on March 10 and 24.  The training sessions are free and open to anyone connected with the United Methodist Church, including members of UMC congregations, lay employees of the Church and clergy.  

Session 1 – The Basics
Duration: 60 minutes

The first session teaches the foundational concepts of mental health, the ability to identify when you or someone else may have mental health needs that require assistance and the skills to start a conversation and get them the help they need. Session 1 includes topics on:

  • Current mental health challenges and statistics
  • Influences, stress, vulnerability and self-awareness
  • Stigma, discrimination and promoting inclusion
  • Identifying and coping with stress; exploring our own ‘stress signatures’
  • First Aid for Mental Health: principles to approaching and helping others

Session 2 – A Deeper Dive
Duration: 60 minutes

The second session dives deeper into external influences, stress, vulnerability, and ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are impacted every day. It provides practical methods for how to manage ourselves and others in crisis. Session 2 topics include:

  • Personal resilience and staying well
  • Understanding ways in which we can become unwell
  • An introduction to depression, substance abuse, anxiety and self-harm—risk factors and First Aid for Mental Health interventions
  • Suicide and First Aid for Mental Health for suicidal crisis
  • Connecting with others, active listening and understanding common personal barriers to having an effective conversation

Register for the First Aid Training for Mental Health Today!

Questions?  Please contact Dina Reid, DSC Pension & Health Benefits Administrator, at dreid@dscumc.org or 480-206-0049. 

 

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Author: Dina Reid

The Desert Southwest Conference is a diverse and loving organization with open doors to a variety of people and partners in ministry. Celebrating our connection and diversity, we offer various resources. Content on this site includes information from other organizations that may not reflect the official policies or Social Principles of The United Methodist Church or the Desert Southwest Conference.

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