City of Melrose Launches Series of Free Mental Health First Aid Training Courses for the Community

Mayor Paul Brodeur has announced the City of Melrose will offer the community free Mental Health First Aid Training Courses this fall and winter as part of the Mayor’s mission to equitably equip the community with the skills to better support neighbors, friends and loved ones experiencing emotional distress. The courses are open to anyone who lives or works in Melrose aged 18 and older.

“I designated 2022 as the year of Community Health and Wellness in Melrose, to bring awareness to the increased need for social and mental health support for our residents, and create programming like these courses for our community members,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “I’m hopeful these courses will help our community learn how to better support the different people in our lives, or those we pass on the street, during times of emotional or psychological distress.”

Melrose community members can sign up for any of the four courses taking place within the months of October and November and become certified in either or both Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) or Adult Mental Health First Aid (Adult MHFA).

Course Dates & Location:

Youth MHFA
Sat, Oct 15 & Sun, Oct 16
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Milano Center
*Registration deadline is Oct. 10

Youth MHFA
Mon, Oct 17 & Mon, Oct 24
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Memorial Hall
*Registration deadline is Oct. 12

Adult MHFA
Tue, Oct 18 & Thu, Oct 20
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Milano Center
*Registration deadline is Oct. 12

Adult MHFA
Mon, Nov 7 & Wed, Nov 9
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Milano Center
*Registration deadline is Nov. 1

*Attendance on both days for the entire session is required for certification*
*Light refreshments provided*
*All materials provided*

To register, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/recreation and click on “Register Here – MHFA” 

For questions, please contact the Melrose Recreation Department at 781-979-4179 or recreation@cityofmelrose.org.  Additional, helpful information is below:

How to Support Your Friends, Family and Neighbors

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a nationally recognized program that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.   You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support while learning self-care strategies. 

After the Course You’ll Be Able To:

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
• Understand how to interact with a person in crisis.
• Know how to connect a person with help.
• Use self-care tools and techniques.

During the training, you’ll learn how to:

• Better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18;
• Develop the skills you may need to strengthen to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling; and 
• More easily connect with them to provide appropriate support. 

After the course, you will be able to more easily: 

• Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); 
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges; 
• Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis; 
• Know how to connect a young person with help; and 
• Better understand trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying. 

Offered in partnership with:

• Mayor Paul Brodeur
• Melrose Recreation Department
• Melrose Health & Human Services Department
• Melrose Health & Wellness Coalition
• National Council of Mental Wellbeing
• Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham & Wakefield
• Healthy Aging Physical Therapy
• Tufts Medicine – Melrose Wakefield Healthcare
• North Shore Education Consortium