After receiving funds from a recent grant opportunity, Adair County Health System (ACHS) is turning their attention towards mental health, particularly those age 12-18. ACHS is sponsoring an event next month to help individuals spot the signs of a mental health or substance abuse problem in others. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course will be at the Greenfield City Hall Meeting room on April 3rd from 8am-5pm.

The course will center around five main steps. Stephanie Fluckey, a Domestic Violence Specialist from the Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Center in Adel, explains the five steps. “We go through assessing for risk of suicide or harm. Then listening non-judgmentally. Giving reassurance and information. Encouraging appropriate professional help and encouraging self help and other support strategies.”

Fluckey emphasizes that this course is not designed to make participants experts in this particular field, but rather to give them the basics in identifying mental health or substance abuse struggles. The event is free for those 18 or older, lunch is provided, and pre-registration is required.

Registration Contact: stephanie@ciac91.org