BRUNSWICK

When it comes to helping a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or someone else who may be struggling with mental health issues, often people don’t know where to turn.

Danielle Parent, a clinical supervisor for Sweetser’s mobile crisis services, said Sweetser welcomes calls not only from people who are seeking help for themselves, but also people who may be concerned about others.

“But sometimes they’re hesitant to make that call, so we have other resources in the community,” Parent said.

One of those resources is the Mental Health First Aid training, which is offered all over the country and provided locally by Sweetser. Parent said it is designed for community members, to teach about the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, as well as to teach about available resources and how to access those resources.

Stephanie Hanner, communications manager for Sweetser, said there is Mental Health First Aid training offered for both youth and adults, usually monthly. On request, Sweetser will go to private organizations to teach the course. It is designed for non-clinical people to give them an understanding of mental health definitions, how to destigmatize mental health services, and offers tips about how to start a conversation with someone — whether a family member, co-worker or even a stranger.

Hanner said the program aims to get people more comfortable with mental health services in general and connected to appropriate professional resources — much like CPR training teaches an action plan.

The course for youth and adults has been developed to teach skills to respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use, and to assist a person in crisis until appropriate professional help is received.

“Both courses teach about recovery and resiliency — the belief that individuals experiencing mental health issues can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well,” the Sweeter Training Institute workshop program states.

The trainings are fairly new in the state, created in 2001 in Australia, said Hanner, who is a certified Mental Heath First Aid and youth Mental Health First Aid trainer.

For more information or to inquire about the Mental Health First Aid training, contact Stephanie Hanner at shanner@sweetser.org or call (207) 294-4486.

dmoore@timesrecord.com