CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCCU) — One in five Americans has a mental illness, yet many don’t know what to do if they experience someone having a mental health crisis and are often hesitant to step in and help.
That is why the University of Illinois (U of I) Extension is providing 5 step mental health first aid training courses. The course is to teach people to recognize a mental health struggle or crisis and save a life if the situation arises.
And this is important because you can actually save lives, just like in CPR. Mental health, it’s in crisis, mental health illness is real, and with this protocol you can actually save a life,” explained Andrea Fanta, a mental health specialist with U of I Extension Integrated Health Disparities.
Mental health first aid training courses are available to anyone in the state, either online or in person, and in English or Spanish.
The cost for the program is $60 which covers the lessons, materials, and 3 year certification. Though for those a part of the farming community, classes are free of charge through the program’s partnership with U of I’s agricultural department.
The class can be delivered in one full-day session or split into two half-day sessions. For more information about taking the training, contact Andrea Fanta, mental health specialist, at andreaf3@illinois.edu.