Park County: “Mental First Aid” Training in Cody and Powell

Healthy Park County is sponsoring two free courses in March that teach “mental first aid,” showing adults how to support the mental health of young adults.

Enrollment is open for two “first-aid” courses to be held in Park County in early March. However, this training focuses more on healing the mind than cuts and bruises.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a program designed for adults to help identify and support children with mental illness. The certification course is an outreach program through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Courtesy National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Healthy Park County offers two courses – free of charge – resulting in a three-year certification.

Two Youth Mental Health First Aid courses are taking place in Park County the first week of March. On Tuesday, March 1, the Cody course takes place at the Holiday Inn on Sheridan Avenue; the Powell course on Thursday, March 3, at Park #1 Support Services (245 N. Evarts Street.)

The eight-hour training delivers a myriad of skills to assist adults who work with children.

• How to reach out and provide initial support to adolescents
• De-escalate crisis situations safely
• Build connections and trusted relationships with youth
• Initiate timely referrals to mental health and substance use disorder resources available in our community.

Examples of scenarios included in the training are helping a young person who’s having a panic attack, contemplating suicide, or struggling with substance abuse.

This course is designed for adults who regularly work with youth (ages 12-18.) Examples include faith leaders, coaches, teachers, and youth program staff.

Participants who successfully finish the course receive a Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, which is valid for three years.

Training will be facilitated by David Galvan, a Mental Health Trainer at the Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs. Galvan’s mission is that “every student should have healthy, non-violent relationships, and have access to help, healing, and hope.”

Space for the two courses is limited. Any adult interested in participating is encouraged to register for either training course as soon as possible.