Mental Health First Aid & Opioid Overdose Training for Faith Community Leaders 04/22

NYDIS and The Salvation Army collaborate to offer free, one-day Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for community & faith leaders. All training materials and a light breakfast are included. Participants may bring a brown bag lunch or eat out nearby during the lunch break. All participants who complete the training and short test receive a certificate that is valid for three years.

Mental Health First Aid is a globally recognized, groundbreaking public education program. It introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health issues, builds an understanding of their impact, and provides an overview of common treatments and interventions. The 8-hour course uses role-playing, videos, discussions, and games to illuminate the material and equip participants to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions, provide initial help, and connect neighbors to professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The course facilitators walk participants through the risk factors and warning signs of specific conditions and crises such as: anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use issues.

NYDIS and The Salvation Army offer this MHFA training in partnership with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Together, we support New York City’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray, and her #ThriveNYC goal to train 250,000 New Yorkers in Mental Health First Aid.

NYDIS and The Salvation Army are proud to partner with Harlem United. Harlem United harm reduction trainers provide participants with Opioid Overdose Reversal and Narcan Administration training during the Substance Use portion of the MHFA course. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of a potential opioid overdose and what to do about it. Upon completing the training, participants will receive a certificate and a free Narcan kit.

Media Release: You will be asked to sign a media release at the start of the day because photography, audio, and video recording may occur. The release form gives your consent to such recording being made and its subsequent release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, social media, or other promotional outlets.