Taylorville Memorial Hospital hosted the first session of Mental Health First Aid Training on February 15 and 16, 2017.  This training helps community members learn how to identify and respond to people showing signs of mental illness and substance abuse.

There were eight participants from the hospital and Taylorville Ministerial Association who completed the course.  During the two-day course, they were taught the skills they would need to respond to a mental health crisis.  This course is ideal for those who work in schools, hospitals, emergency services, churches or with the public in general.

“We learned much more about mental illness and gained new helping skills,” said Reverend Bill Kearns. “We need to own up to how serious the problem is and how more resources are needed.  Mental Health First Aid is a small step towards increasing services to those who need help.”

The next session will be hosted by Reverend Kerns at Davis Memorial Christian Church at 1500 W Franklin St in Taylorville on April 5th and 6th from 5 - 9 pm.  The training is limited to thirty participants and has a $16.95 fee to provide the training materials.  Certified instructors Sue Paso, Pastor Michael Evanchak, Suzy Traughber and Glenn Coate, RN, BSN will lead this next session.  Interested participants can register online at memorialbehavioralhealth.org/professionals/mental-health-first-aid.

Interested organizations, clubs or groups who would like to schedule their own class can do so by calling TMH Education at 217-824-1675.

For more information on the training in April or how to get registered, please contact Heather Sweet at 217-588-7804 or sweet.heather@mhsil.com