Youth Mental Health First Aid
Eligibility: The Reading Coalition offers the following program for adults that live, work or go to school in Reading, Massachusetts.
Course Type: YOUTH Mental Health First Aid (geared to adults interacting with youth ages 12-18)
Details: The program covers the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. It uses role playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions and provide initial help as well as connect young people to professional, peer, and self-help care. Participants will receive a book and certification.
To learn more about upcoming classes, please email emcnamara@ci.reading.ma.us
Adult Mental Health
Eligibility: The Reading Coalition offers the following program for adults that live, work or go to school in Reading, Massachusetts.
Course Type: ADULT Mental Health First Aid (geared to adults interacting with adults)
Details: The the program covers the unique risk factors and warning signs of adult mental health problems, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The course also covers the impact of mental illness and provides an overview of common supports. It teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Local resources are shared. Participants will receive a book and certification.
To learn more about upcoming classes, please email emcnamara@ci.reading.ma.us
Public Safety
Many Reading Police officers attend the 8-hour Public Safety Mental Health First Aid training. In addition to their certification training, guest speakers from Eliot Community Human Services advised officers on local mobile crisis and emergency stabilization services.
Select Reading Police Officers have also completed the CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) Program, which is an advanced 40 hour training.