The Mental Health First Aid Collaborative was formed in April of 2014 through the unified efforts of the McLean County Health Department; McLean County Center for Human Services; Central Illinois Area Health Education Center, Illinois State University; Carle BroMenn Medical Center; and, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. This collaborative group hosts Mental Health First Aid training throughout the county.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, eight-hour training course developed in Australia that is designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Since the Mental Health First Aid Collaborative introduced Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training in 2014, more than 2,700 McLean County residents have been trained to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. First Aiders have been taught the skills to reach out and provide the initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.
The training focuses on one of three areas: Adults; Older Adults; and Youth (age 12-18). To learn more about Mental Health First Aid training classes, or for information about becoming a trainer, call 309-888-5539.