One in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and ISU Extension and Outreach is partnering with the Washington County Mental Health Coalition to educate residents on how to better recognize signs of mental illness and substance abuse.

Extension is offering Mental Health First Aid training for adults and youth online throughout this spring, and Washington County residents are invited to join at no cost, thanks to the coalition. Extension Human Sciences Specialist Dawn Dunnegan recommends these trainings to employers, police officers, hospital staff, first responders, faith leaders, teachers and school staff, coaches, parents, community members, and other people who work with youth, “And what this mental health first aid does is it teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse/use disorders. Sometimes we forget about that as a mental health disorder, and the training gives skills to individuals on how to reach out and provide initial support to someone who might be developing a mental health crisis or substance abuse problem and help connect them to appropriate care and resources.”

Upcoming adult mental health first aid training sessions take place online from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on February 25th, March 25th, and April 22nd. Youth training sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 30th, April 21st, and May 19th. For a link to register, visit here.