First aid courses teach us how to care for one another in the event of a physical injury or illness. But what do we do when a friend, coworker or acquaintance comes to us with mental anguish that may require a professional's help?
Mental Health First Aid teaches untrained residents to recognize symptoms of mental health conditions, how to provide initial help and how to guide the person to the appropriate help.
The Missouri Department of Mental Health has a grant that will allow faith-based agencies to offer this program and the 12 hours of training through February 2012.
"This program augments what pastors and other clergy are already doing when a person comes to them with concerns or issues," said Karen Farris, project coordinator for Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare.