WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 21, 2015 — West Liberty University Campus Police is coordinating a training program for law enforcement, teachers and other safety professionals to teach risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges common among adolescents.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid training will be offered from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Highlands Center Campus.
“We are pleased to offer this special first aid training at no charge and we are grateful to Dianna Bailey-Miller of Marshall University for presenting the class,” said Capt. Thomas Hostutler who leads WLU’s professional police department.
An eight-hour public education program that builds understanding of the importance of early intervention as it teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge, the class is certified by the National Council for Behavior Health.
The August program will look at risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, ages 12 – 18, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), disruptive disorders and substance abuse disorders.
According to the official website, mentalhealthfirstaid.org, ”Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack — even if you have no clinical training — Mental Health First Aid promises to help individuals assist someone experiencing a mental health related crisis.”
The mental health first aid class will help classroom teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other safety professionals to feel more confident in crisis situations.
For more information or to register, please visit westliberty.edu/highlands or call 304-217-2800. The Highlands Center is home to WLU’s School of Professional Studies which offers degrees for working adults and is located along Cabela Drive in the Highlands shopping complex, near the Marquee Cinema.
To contact WLU campus police, please call 304-336-8021.