HOWELL – The Howell Township Municipal Alliance for substance use prevention and mental health awareness will host a youth mental health first aid certification training session at the Howell municipal building, 4567 Route 9 North, second floor, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7.
Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle said, “This groundbreaking eight-hour training gives people the tools to identify when youths might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.”
According to a press release from Riddle, although one in five Americans has a mental illness, people of all ages are reluctant to seek help due to fear of stigmas or because they may not know where to turn for care. For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in.
Riddle said mental health first aid training prepares participants to confidently interact with a person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Chuck Ingoglial, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, which helped bring mental health first aid to the United States in 2008, said, “Through this program, we hope to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems. When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need.”
Riddle said the Howell Alliance has hosted several mental health first aid training sessions to date and has certified more than 70 community members and professionals.
To register for the Nov. 7 youth mental health first aid training session, visit
Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mental-health-first-aid-certificate-training-tickets-116545589997
Participants must wear a face covering and bring their own food and drinks for the day. The registration fee is $30 and includes a training manual. For more information, contact Christa Riddle by email at [email protected] or call 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.