Mental Health First Aid for Adults

Online 2-day course | February 12 & 13 | 9:30am-12:30pm each day

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Mental Health First Aiders are anyone who wants to make their community healthier, happier and safer for all.

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):

Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
Listen nonjudgmentally.
Give reassurance and information.
Encourage appropriate professional help.
Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

You'll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to adults who are struggling, and learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

After the course, you'll be able to:

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
• Understand how to connect with a person in crisis.
• Know how to connect a person with help.

Participants must complete two hours of pre-course work and attend both days for the full 3-hour sessions to earn Mental Health First Aid Certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Cameras must be on and participation is required.

Presenter Bios:

Akiliah Manuel, Director at Lodi Public Library, has been actively engaged with underserved and underrepresented communities for 26 years. She has founded as well as worked for grass-roots non profit organizations. In addition to her MLIS, Akiliah has a BA in Psychology with an emphasis on Human Services. She is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and has trained over 100 library staff in Mental Health First Aid. She is committed to whole person librarianship, connecting community partners for the good of patrons and equipping librarians for proper handling of critical patron issues.

Today she helps to raise awareness of library services to decarcerated populations by means of an initiative called Ready Access. Her intention is to help the library community share their love and genius!

Christine Conwell is the City Librarian and Director of the Moorpark City Librar. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education from California State University, Fullerton and a Master’s in Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University. Christine brings a diverse range of experience in community outreach, innovative library services, community partnership development, program management, and customer service.