Mahaska Health Partnership to offer Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership Behavioral Health Services will be offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Friday, June 12 from 8 am to 5 pm in the Cedar Bluff Learning Center (entrance #3) on the MHP campus.
“Mental health symptoms can appear at any age,” MHP Behavioral Health Director Jan LeBahn, LISW, said. “Youth Mental Health First Aid training will help participants learn how to help youth ages 12-18 years. Teachers, first responders and other medical professionals, faith leaders and the general public will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in young people.”
LeBahn said many people experience a mental health illness at some point in their lives but every illness is different and should be treated as such. “There are many types of depression and even though they share similar symptoms, afflicted people need to be treated individually. This is also true for people who have anxiety disorders, paranoia or eating disorders. Each of these disorders is very unique and needs to be approached in a different manner, depending on the situation,” LeBahn stressed.
MHP has offered regular Mental Health First Aid classes for a number of years, and recently expanded to include a class tailored to those working with youth. “It’s important to recognize that not only are adults facing mental health symptoms, but youth are too, and how you address them varies based on their age,” LeBahn explained. “This course is designed to teach adults working with youth how to assist someone in the most effective way possible during a mental health challenge. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, behavior disorders such as ADHD and eating disorders.
“The goal with classes such as Youth Mental Health First Aid is for the public to learn how to recognize signs and symptoms, be able to intervene and feel comfortable talking about the symptoms of mental health,” LeBahn encouraged. “If more people receive proper treatment for mental illness, the lifelong effects can be reduced.”
The cost of the class is $35 and six CEU’s will be offered. To register for Youth Mental Health First Aid training or for more information, call 641.672.3159. The deadline to register is Friday, May 29.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
