Mental Health First Aid Training - May 25th

Sometimes first aid isn't a bandage or CPR.       Sometimes first aid is you.

A person you know could be experiencing a mental health or substance use problem. Learn an action plan to help. You are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Learn how to help a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor in need. Get trained in Mental Health First Aid.

May is mental health awareness month. Being a community partner that provides whole health care for people living with mental health and addiction challenges, we believe in enriching our communities through things such as education. We are happy to share that we will be teaching Mental Health First Aid during the month of May. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. 

What you learn:

• Factors and warning signs of mental health problems
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis
• Where to turn for help — professional, peer, and self-help resources

(From left to right: Cascadia's Mental Health First Aid Instructors, Kramer Taylor and Icahn Saelao)

About the Instructors: 

Kramer Taylor: Kramer is an AmeriCorps Member, from the Mental Health First Aid Corps program. Kramer received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. After graduating, he acquired a job with Access Living, working with people who have developmental disabilities. While with Cascadia, Kramer's service term will be spent serving as a Mental Health First Aid instructor, coordinating all aspects of the training courses, such as community outreach, building partnerships, marketing, participant tracking/evaluation, grant writing, and teaching the 8-hour course to members of the community. 

Icahn Saelao: Originally from Oakland, CA, Icahn received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. Shortly afterwards he received his Master’s in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from the California State University of Fresno, California. He first joined Cascadia in November of 2014 with PSRB, and came over to Cascadia’s Administrative office in 2016 where he is now a Clinical Trainer with the Staff Training Department. Icahn became certified in Mental Health First Aid Adult and Public Safety in July 2017.

About Mental Health First Aid USA:  

Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and overviews appropriate supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect people to the appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care.