Saint Leo University To Present Mental Health First Aid Courses

TAMPA, FL — Saint Leo University will host two sessions of Mental Health First Aid courses this fall. Sponsored by the university’s Human Services Department and hosted at its Tampa Education Center, these eight-hour MHFA-Youth courses are intended for those who work and interact with young people.

MHFA-Youth is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human service workers how to help youth age 12-18, who are experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

Youth Mental Health First Aid will be offered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, and Friday, Oct. 1, at Saint Leo’s Tampa Education Center, 1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa. The classes will be taught by MHFA-certified instructor Dr. Nancy Wood, director of Saint Leo University’s Graduate Human Services Administration Program.

Seating is limited. The cost is $25 and includes a workbook. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch to the MHFA class.

Register for the Sept. 25 class.

Register for the Oct. 1 class.

“Mental health affects the entire well-being of a person, through all stages of a person’s life,” Wood said. “Mental health is equally important as physical health, and should be given the same attention.”

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. The course uses role-playing and simulation to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect people to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care.

Just like CPR training, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with assistance.

“The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis,” according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and MHFA. “Mental health first aid courses are for anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.”

The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of illnesses such as anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia.

For more information, email Dr. Nancy Wood, nancy.wood@saintleo.edu. If special accommodations are needed, contact Rod Kirkwood, director of the Tampa Education Center, at 813-226-2775.