By Bay City News.
San Mateo County Libraries will soon offer mental health first aid training, how to identify and respond to crises.
These free mental health first aid trainings will be offered at the Millbrae, Belmont, Half Moon Bay and San Carlos Libraries. Training sessions are eight hours long and take place on weekends, divided into four-hour training sessions over two days. Participants will learn to identify common crises related to mental health or substance abuse.
According to a library news release, more than 130 San Mateo County Library employees have received mental health first aid training. Each session will be led by three staff members.
“Mental health challenges have had a huge impact on our communities; many of us personally know someone who has had problems. It is vitally important that we all learn easy tools for recognizing someone in mental distress, knowing what to say, and how to contact them. with resources,” said the president of the Governing Board of the county Library and San Carlos city councilor, Sara McDowell.
Registration for the first session at the Millbrae Library on August 19-20 at the Millbrae Library is closed, but those interested in the training can sign up for a waiting list. The next sessions will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on November 4 and 5 at Belmont, February 24 and 25 at Half Moon Bay, and April 27 and 28 at the San Carlos Library.
Interested parties can find more information and registration details for the training sessions at https://smcl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=mental%20health%20first%20aid.
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