One Step a la Vez will be hosting two free two day sessions of Mental Health First Aid presented by Ventura County Behavioral Health, one in English and one in Spanish. OSALV will also be scheduling a session geared specifically towards teens in the near future.

Mental Health First Aid is a ground breaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid is offered in the form of an interactive two-day course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.

Attendees will learn the potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury. Attendees will also learn how to use a 5-step action plan to assess a crisis situation and select and implement appropriate interventions; the realities and prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced stigma in our communities.

Important information will be given on how to access appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources to help someone with a mental health problem.

There is no cost to register. To reserve a spot in either the English or Spanish session, or for more information please contact Kate English: kate@myonestep.org or call 805-625-7067.

Spanish session: November 5th & 7th 9am – 1pm, English session: November 10th & 11th 5pm- 9pm, Classes will be held at: , One Step a la Vez Community Center,421 Sespe Ave., Fillmore.