Mental health challenges or crises may not be as easily recognizable as a cut or a broken bone, but there are still ways to bring aid to those facing these health concerns, and there is some training people can take to help in these situations.

Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMCH) is offering a Mental Health First Aid training course on Nov. 10 in Lincoln for anyone interested in helping to make their community healthier, happier and safer.

The training, which begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 10 at Lincoln County Ambulance Service, 102 N. Sixth St., will last throughout the day with lunch, snacks and all materials provided for those who register.

CKMHC said that as a mental health first aider, those taking part in this training will gain skills needed 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.

“I feel lucky to be a contributor in our area for MHFA awareness and training to help community members recognize risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns,” said Taylor Haws, community based services coordinator and certified Mental Health First Aid instructor. “My hope is to increase community members’ confidence in supporting others in finding appropriate mental health support when it is needed.”

Mental Health First Aid training can be for anyone

According to Gretchen Boyum, grants and communications specialist for CKMHC and another certified instructor, said no previous experience is necessary to take part in this training.

Boyum said during the training, which lasts seven to eight hours, simple first steps are taken to help people understand why mental health care is important.

“We start … talking about what barriers to care might be.. (words and definitions) and stigma surrounding mental health,” Boyum said. “Then we go over some common mental health challenges that people might experience, and what signs and symptoms might look like.”

By learning some of these basic skills, Boyum said it helps people become more comfortable talking about mental health and help recognize if someone may be struggling.

“(That way we) are able to connect them with the help or services they might need,” Boyum said.

A low price of the training, which only costs $5, is an important thing for CKMHC. Boyum said the training is funded by a grant from the Salina Area United Way.

She also said that those who complete the training will receive Mental Health First Aid certification that lasts three years.

“For certain (professions) like nurses and other people who need continuing education credit, those are available as well,” Boyum said.

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More Mental Health First Aid trainings happening

This session in Lincoln isn’t the first and won’t be the only time that people in central Kansas will have the opportunity to take part in Mental Health First Aid training.

“We’re trying to do some (training) pretty regularly,” Boyum said.

One such training is taking place in Salina in December, but Boyum said that class’s registration is already full.

“We’ll be doing more in 2024,” Boyum said.

CKMHC is the designated local mental health authority for Dickinson, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Ottawa and Saline counties, and Boyum said there are plans to reach out to all the communities there.

“We’re trying to do (these first aid trainings) in the counties we serve,” Boyum said.

To register for the training in Lincoln, or for more information about future training, contact Boyum at 785-515-6139 or at [email protected].

Updates about future training are also regularly posted and can be found on CKMHC’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ckmhc.