LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT/Edited news release) – Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (GIA) has announced it has received a grant through the Arkansas Department of Human Resources (DHS) Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (OSAMH) to expand Mental Health First Aid training and services at the Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Academy.
The grant will support the education and training of a broad range of community members across the state who may encounter people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health First Aid classes are offered free of charge through the Academy at Goodwill to support those on the front lines who are in a position to make an impact. The Academy currently offers free training with courses focusing on common signs and symptoms for adults, as well as a new option for adults who work with youth (ages 12-18). Registration for Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid is open now at GoodwillAR.org/Academy. Classes begin September 10.
The Academy is preparing to offer Teen Mental Health First Aid training, which will be available at a later date. Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches teens ages 14-18 how to identify, understand and address the signs of mental health or substance use issues in their friends.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Officer Eddie Stewart, “This grant will enable our Academy to continue to expand our training and prepare even more first responders, teachers and other individuals to take on the critical challenge of mental health wellness in our state.”
The grant funding, totaling $499,950, will enable the Academy at Goodwill to obtain certification to provide training for Goodwill staff in specialized areas of mental health first aid specific to youth populations, including:
Trainers will receive the necessary certification to deliver Mental Health First Aid Training for Teens. This course is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents, primarily between the ages of 12 and 18. The course introduces common mental health and substance use challenges for adolescents, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for helping adolescents in crisis and non-crisis situations. Trainers will receive the necessary certification to deliver Mental Health First Aid Training for Teens. This course is designed for adolescents, primarily between the ages of 15 and 18 (grades 10, 11, and 12). The course introduces ways to help peers and classmates discuss changes in their mental health and substance use openly, teaches common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges, educates about the impact of violence and bullying in schools on mental health, and teaches adolescents how to seek help from trusted, responsible adults.
The Academy at Goodwill is a partner organization of the National Council for Behavioral Health and provides Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training throughout the state. Academy MHFA training prepares individuals to identify, understand and respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use disorder. Academy MHFA training provides individuals with the skills they need to reach out to those who may be experiencing mental health or substance use issues, provide initial support and connect them to appropriate care.
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