In conjunction with Behind the Scenes, a mental health initiative, the Ohio Valley Section of USITT is offering a skills-based training course that seeks to teach you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a crisis, and help connect them to the appropriate care.

Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack, or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance to someone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

Mental Health First Aid is an international training program that was created in Australia in 2000, brought to the U.S. in 2008, and is now in 24 countries around the world. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

This is a virtual class, available on Jan. 15th from 11am-5pm. This class will take place on Zoom and will be 6 hours plus 2 hours of pre-work. There will be several 10 to 15 minute breaks throughout the day. 

Ticket prices range from $15-$75, as seen below:

$15- Student Member Pricing

$45- Member Pricing

$75- Non-Member Pricing

For more information and to reserve your tickets, please visit the Ohio Valley Section website here.