Washington County residents wanting to learn how to identify and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth and adults are being given a free monthly opportunity now through May.

The Washington County Mental Health Coalition has partnered with ISU Extension and Outreach to offer free virtual mental health first aid training sessions. Extension Human Sciences Specialist Dawn Dunnegan recommends this course to a wide assortment of people who work with adults or youth, which covers the common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use, how to interact with a person in crisis, and how to connect that person with help, “Anyone who can get trained is a benefit to your community there in Washington County and across the state. It’s a tool that we can use in all aspects of our life.”

Dunnegan mentions the course has now been expanded to include content on trauma, addiction, and self-care, specifically with the impact of social media and bullying for youth. The next adult mental health first aid training sessions are on March 25th and April 22nd from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with the youth sessions on March 30th, April 21st, and May 19th from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. A link to register is included here.