Mental Health First Aid Classes Offered by Thompson

CANANDAIGUA – UR Medicine Thompson Health’s Wellness Department is offering Mental Health First Aid classes for community members who are interested in learning how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

The training – created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing – will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 28 and 29, at Wood Library, 134 N. Main St. in Canandaigua. People must attend both days, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

The course has been offered to Thompson’s staff members over the past several months, and Wellness Coordinator Kristen Seyfried said the interest in it reflects the importance of conversations about mental health. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness.

“I think everyone sees the need for a course like this. Although this can help them with their job, the great thing about Mental Health First Aid is that it can also be used in all aspects of a person's life, not just at work,” Seyfried said.

The cost is $32 per person, with limited space. To register, call 585-396-6111.