Mental Health First Aid Training To Be Held In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Youth Mental Health First Aid Training will be held to give people the tools to identify when an teen might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.

This eight-hour training course is being sponsored by the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse and Bernards Township Health Department. It will be held on Saturday, March 17 and Saturday, March 24 both from noon until 5 p.m.

"One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not get them until it is too late," according to the Bernards Township Health Department.

Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a five-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.

Participants in this course must be over the age of 18. This course is recommended for parents, teachers, coaches, social workers, faith leaders, and other caring citizens who regularly interact with young people ages 12 to 18.

Participants must attend both entire sessions on March 17 and 24 to be certified Youth Mental Health First Aiders. This program will take place at the Bernards Township Library in Program Room A, located at 32 S. Maple Ave, Basking Ridge.

The cost to attend is $50 and includes all program materials, certification, and light refreshments. Checks can be made payable to the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance and can be mailed to the Bernards Township Health Department at 262 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Call Kaitlin Cartoccio at 908-204-2523 to register.

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