Update from the Northern Lower Regional Center

Mental Health First Aid Training Expands to Local Law Enforcement

The Northern Lower AHEC received supplemental funding to help address the opioid crisis in our 21-county region. As a part of the funding, the Program Manager and MidMichigan Community Health Service's Health Educator were trained in Washington, D.C. to become Adult Mental Health First Aid instructors. The new instructors have held four classes, training 36 community health center staff and law enforcement officers.

The most recent class trained 10 law enforcement officers from the Gerrish Township Police Department and the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program where individuals trained grow their knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and substance use problems. Further, participants can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or substance use problem, and learn how to administer naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose. Those who complete the 8-hour program increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress and show increased mental wellness themselves and receive a three year certification.

To find a course or contact an instructor in your area, visit www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org or email Info@MentalHealthFirstAid.org.

Appreciative Comment Received By NLRC Executive Director Diane Nielsen:

"I just wanted to take the time and express my deepest thanks for your generosity to my Cardiac Sonography students. When they heard the news their eyes lit up and they couldn't have been more thankful towards AHEC for doing this for them. Especially my students who are going out of state and going for a visit soon to their facilities. This will definitely help and I know a lot of my students travel a good distance just to take classes here 4 times a week. So I am sure the gas card will most likely be used before their visits."

Health Science Support Specialist, Kirtland Community College