The Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health is hosting a Mental Health First Aid course in Exeter this month.
Grace Bonnett from the Gateway Centre says the course will be an informative session that will help participants learn about a critical aspect of mental health and addictions response and care.
"It provides participants with skills and knowledge to support individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. We're really trying to work towards creating healthier, more resilient communities, workplaces, families and individuals as it pertains to wellbeing and mental wellness," Bonnett shared.
Bonnett says people will learn to more confidently engage in conversations with people struggling with mental health or addictions issues, and they'll learn different tools and strategies to help those who are struggling find the resources they need.
"It also provides participants with tools and resources to connect individuals to support. So, if you come across someone who is struggling, you have those resources, you have that toolkit to kind of provide that support and connect them to the services they need," added Bonnett.
The Gateway Centre and other local organizations have noticed that mental health and addictions issues are on the rise in rural areas, and there are resources available in our region. Bonnett says this course will point those out and make them known so that participants can easily steer people who need them to those resources.
"The services are not necessarily not there, it's just that we tend to not have that knowledge and awareness of where they are and what they offer. So this course really works to provide those local supports to participants," Bonnett noted.
The course runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 27 and is offered at a significantly subsidized rate of $100 per person. It will be at the Exeter Trivitt Memorial Church. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Reach out to Grace Bonnett at mhfatraininggateway@gmail.com or visit gatewayruralhealth.ca for more information or to register for the course.