Neighbor News
North Reading CIT to Offer Free Mental Health Course
The course is open to all youth workers and caregivers
The North Reading Community Impact Team and Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are offering a free two-part course on Mental Health First Aid on Wednesday, May 15th and Wednesday, May 22nd. The classes run from 5:30pm-9:30pm at the North Reading Police Department and include a light dinner. This course is appropriate for adults working with youth such as child care staff, coaches, advisors, educators, and even caregivers with a child or teen at home.
This is the fifth time the program has been offered to the community. Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz explained, “This is one of the most impactful programs we run.” She added, “Year after year the feedback shows that course participants take home real skills and a new perspective for mental health challenges young people are facing today.”
After the last course, a local professional educator commented, “The Mental Health First Aid Training has been thought-provoking and has already changed the way I view my students and their mental health.” She added, “This training is helping me become a more well-rounded educator and not only focus on supporting students academically, but also socially and emotionally. I highly recommend this training to everyone!”
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The internationally-recognized program is a skills-based training course that teaches participants how to help others with mental health and substance use challenges. Participants must complete both courses as well as independent pre-work to earn a completion certification. The course will be instructed by Certified Instructor Jen Ford.
Per MHFA policy, we MUST have a minimum of 5 participants to facilitate training.
Find out what's happening in North Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Registrants will receive an email directly from MHFA with the pre-work links (to be completed prior to the November sessions) as well as a detailed email from Jennifer Ford. The course is limited to 15 participants.
To register, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click EVENTS or contact Jen Ford at coalition@norhtreadingma.gov or call (978) 357-5054.
If you or a loved one need assistance with accessing mental health or substance abuse treatment, contact North Reading Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician Laura Miranda at 978-357-5038 or email lmiranda@nrpd.org.
