Sign up by Feb. 24 for ‘Mental Health First Aid’ course

Mental health problems in today’s world are probably as common as physical emergencies like heart attacks. Would you be able to recognize such a crisis or know how to help a person struggling with a mental illness or a substance use disorder?

“Mental Health First Aid: CPR for the Brain,” a course offering valuable information about what to do in such situations, will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, 1335 N. Mill St. in Naperville. The course is being co-sponsored by St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health.

The program includes tips on how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Participants also will learn basic skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and to help connect that individual with appropriate care.

After completing a two-hour, self-paced online class, participants will meet in person with an instructor. in a six-hour class that will include breaks. Instructors include Diane McQueen, a member of the Linden Oaks Hospital Mental Health First Aid Consortium, and Trina Lueckhoff, a staff member at Linden Oaks.

Cost of the program is $25. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) also are available at $50 for LCPC/LPC, LCSW/LSW, LMFT and psychologists. Registration is required by Saturday, Feb. 24, at 030224bmhfa.eventbrite.com.

For more information, contact Susan Kearney, behavioral health coordinator at St. Thomas, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108 or at sdkearney.comcast.net; or Diane McQueen, main office administrative assistant at St. Thomas, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 101 or at dmcqueen@stapostle.org or (630) 355-8980, ext. 101.