(CHCC) — The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation-Community Guidance Center-Healthy Transitions and System of Care Programs hosted Mental Health First Aid or MHFA trainings certifying an additional 42 individuals.
The Youth MHFA Training was held on May 27, 2022 and sponsored by the Public School System Da’ok Academy. In continued partnership with PSS, the training was led by Becky Mettao of CGC and Jericho Tobias of the PSS Office of Student and Support Services, and 13 individuals from PSS subsequently earned their Youth MHFA certification.
In June and July, a total of 29 individuals were certified in Adult MHFA: 8 staff from Karidat, 6 staff from Northern Marianas College, 2 staff from Department of Labor, 2 staff from Department of Corrections, 2 staff from CGC System of Care, and 9 community members. The training on June 2, 2022, was led by Elora Masga of CGC and Rachel Rebuenog from the Department of Corrections; and the training on July 28, 2022, was led by CGC’s Kimberly Mendiola and Kimberly Tudela.
“MHFA is an early intervention public education program that is known to reduce the stigma attached to mental health and can help people with mental health challenges access available supports and treatments services,” said CGC Youth and Young Adult Coordinator Kimberly Tudela. “We are hoping with all the training conducted — past and future — stigma will be reduced in the CNMI.”
Participants are required to complete pre-work assignments, attend the entire instructor-led class, and complete post-work assignments to obtain a 3-year MHFA certification. At the end of the training, participants will have gained confidence in providing initial support to those in need.
The next scheduled public training for Mental Health First Aid is Aug. 24, 2022 on Tinian and Aug. 25, 2022 on Saipan.
For more information or to request for the CGC’s MHFA training, visit https://www.chcc.health/communitysupporttraining.php or call (670) 323-6560/61.
For more information on MHFA, visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
For more information about CHCC programs, follow @cnmichcc on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; visit https://www.chcc.health; or call (670) 234-8950.
Staff from PSS Da’ok Academy and Office of Curriculum and Instruction attended the Youth MHFA training on May 27, 2022.
Staff from Karidat attended the Adult MHFA training on June 2, 2022.
Staff from Northern Marianas College, Department of Labor, Department of Corrections, CGC System of Care, and community members attended the Adult MHFA training on July 28, 2022.