YMHFA trainees from LCPS on August 18, 2021.

On August 18, two members of Eastpointe’s Community Relations Team led Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for 38 social workers and counselors with Lenoir County Public Schools (LCPS) at the Kinston Community Center.

Lenoir County Student Services Facilitator and Equity Officer Felicia Solomon coordinated the training. Assistant Superintendent Nick Harvey was onsite to encourage his staff to learn skills that are more critical than ever as Lenoir County continues to manage the mental strain created by COVID-19.

Mr. Harvey explained that the Mental health First Aid Workshop is “high-quality, valid, and timely professional development that each district should consider when choosing social-emotional learning opportunities for their staff members.”

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Over eight hours, this in-person course provides adults working with youth the skills to support children who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Statistics from the National Alliance for Mental Illness show that 1 in 5 teens and young adults currently live with a mental health condition.

Eastpointe began offering Mental Health First Aid in 2014. In the years since, the organization has trained school personnel, bus drivers, social workers, Health Department staff, law enforcement, parents, and community members.

“LCPS could not ask for a more effective group of professionals than the team we have partnered with at Eastpointe,” Ms. Solomon noted. “We are looking forward to our continued collaboration to provide the necessary knowledge and awareness to additional stakeholders to help [them] understand and support the mental health needs of not only our beautiful students but the amazing educators who serve them.”

Eastpointe’s Director of Training and Community Relations, Brooke Mickelson said that “teaching this course is a crucial part of Eastpointe’s community education activities. And now, as we’re just starting to understand the mental strain our kids are experiencing due to COVID, it’s even more important that our community members have these skills.”

For more information on the course, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org<https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/> or contact Eastpointe at training@eastpointe.net<mailto:training@eastpointe.net>.