News from the Upper Peninsula Regional Center

Upper Peninsula Regional Center Provides Mental Health First Aid Training

A 2018/19 HRSA Supplemental Funding Grant was obtained towards opioid initiatives with students and the community. As part of this initiative, UP AHEC, Great Lakes Recovery Centers, and NMU successfully provided an eight-hour, evidence-based MHFA course in order to teach adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses including those in substance use disorders (SUD), depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, and psychosis. In addition to the eight-hour MHFA program, a two-hour Opioid Supplemental Training was offered to instructors. The two-hour program was free for instructors and offered via webinar.

Students listening to a 7 minute presentation on laboratory technology.

Speed Dating: Health Professionals Style

This program is designed to expose students in grades 10 through 12 to a variety of health professionals including dental, surgical, nursing, social work, clinical lab, sciences, radiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Students received information on the different opportunities within each profession including various degree levels, salaries, and future outlook. Once called Luce Speed Dating, the event now encompasses 5 counties and supports the AHEC mission of reaching students from medically underserved areas as well as assuring students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive information on healthcare career advancement. In all, 165 students participated.

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