Mental Health First Aid Course slated Jan. 21 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church
Mental health crises in today's world are probably just as common as physical emergencies like heart attacks. Would you be able to recognize such a crisis or know how to help a person struggling with a mental illness or a substance use disorder?
"Mental Health First Aid," a course offering valuable information about what to do in such situations, will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.
The program includes tips on how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Participants also will learn basic skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and to help connect that individual with appropriate care.
After completing a two-hour, self-paced online class, participants will meet, in person with an instructor. in a six- to seven-hour class at the church that will include breaks. Instructors include Diane McQueen, a member of the Linden Oaks Hospital Mental Health First Aid Consortium that is sponsoring the course. Linden Oaks Hospital is a partner of Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare.
Cost of the program is $26.18. Continuing Education Units also are available for LCPC/LPC, LCSW/LSW, LMFT and psychologists.
Registration is required by Monday, Jan. 16 at https://012123stthomas,eventbrite.com.
For more information about "Mental Health First Aid," contact Diane McQueen at dmcqueen@stapostle.org.
St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information, please call (630) 355-8980.