Mental health first aid course to be offered at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

The stresses and strains of today's world are having their effects in mental health crises and substance use disorders that seem to occur more and more frequently.

What would you do if you encountered someone facing such a crisis? Could you respond in the best way possible by handling the situation calmly and efficiently to help all concerned?

Learn exactly what to do in such emergencies through "Blended Mental Health First Aid: CPR for the Brain," a two-part program that begins with a two-hour, self-paced online course.

This course will be followed by a six-hour, in-person, instructor-led class (with breaks) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.

During training, First Aiders will receive instruction in common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders, how to interact with a person in crisis, and how to connect that person with help.

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.

The deadline to register is Friday, April 14. Detailed information about the program and registration is available at 042223StThomas.eventbrite.com.

Cost of the program is $23.95.

7.5 continuing education units are available for LCPC/LPC, LCSW/LSW, LMFT, RN and psychologists.

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.